Effect of maternal triglyceride ingestion on fetal respiratory movements.
The fetal breathing index is the time in which a fetus undertakes respiratory movements, expressed as a percentage of a 30-minute observation period. The fetal breathing index was studied following maternal ingestion of either a 100-ml triglyceride emulsion (Lipomul) plus 250 ml mineral water, or ingestion of 350 weeks' gestation were examined. The fetal breathing index increased similarly and significantly in both groups. As expected, maternal plasma triglyceride levels increased significantly in the triglyceride-stimulated group 180 minutes after ingestion of triglyceride emulsion plus water. The fetal breathing index for the triglyceride-stimulated group increased from 19.1 +/- 5.7% (SEM) to 38.8 +/- 10.5% at 90 minutes after ingestion, and to 44.4 +/- 14.1% after 180 minutes (P less than .05). In the control group (ingesting mineral water only), the fetal breathing index increased form 8.6 +/- 3.5% to 44.9 +/- 6.9% and 49.0 +/- 13.1% (P less than .05) after 90 and 180 minutes, respectively. Plasma triglyceride levels remained unchanged. No significant increase in maternal plasma free fatty acids, glucose, insulin, glucagon, total cortisol, or free cortisol levels was found. No increase in the fetal breathing index was found over a 180-minute period in 6 pregnant women who had not had oral intake of food or water (P = .17). The results suggest that oral intake of water, with or without added triglycerides, by fasting mothers might stimulate fetal respiratory movements.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D014867:Water; D005934:Glucagon; D006854:Hydrocortisone