The effect of alloxan induced diabetes in the rabbit on placental transfer of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids.
In situ perfusion of the fetal side of the placenta of five normal and eight diabetic anaesthetized rabbits was performed. The does were infused with a mixture of 14C palmitic acid and 3H glucose whilst simultaneous maternal blood and placental perfusate samples were taken for 90 min. Radiolabelled palmitate and glucose levels in the perfusate closely followed levels in the maternal plasma in both normal and diabetic animals. Total placental non-esterified fatty acid transfer was 0.96 mumol/min in the diabetic animals, although due to the considerable variation within the groups this was not statistically significantly more than the 0.58 mumol/min transferred in the normal rabbits. This transfer was significantly affected by maternal uteroplacental blood flow. Total placental glucose transfer was significantly raised in the diabetic (5.0 mumols/min) compared with the normal (1.8 mumols/min) animals, reflecting maternal hyperglycaemia in the diabetic rabbits. Placental glucose transfer was also significantly correlated with maternal uteroplacental blood flow. Maternal diabetes thus increases the placental flux of nutrients to the fetus in the rabbit.
Thomas
C R
CR
Department of Medicine, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Evans
J L
JL
Lowy
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D008098:Litter Size; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values; D014316:Tritium
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D014316:Tritium; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D005947:Glucose