Introduction:The placenta performs a range of functions to support fetal growth. In addition to facilitating nutrient transport, the placenta also stores glucose as glycogen, which is thought to maintain fetal glucose supply during late gestation. However, evidence to support such a role is currently lacking. Similarly, our understanding of the dynamics of placental glycogen metabolism in normal mouse pregnancy is limited.Methods: We quantified the placental glycogen content in wild type C57BL/6JOlaHsd mouse placentas from mid (E12.5) to late (E18.5) gestation, alongside characterising the temporal expression pattern of genes encoding glycogenesis and glycogenolysis pathway enzymes. To assess the potential of the placenta to produce glucose, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression of glucose 6-phosphatase by qPCR and in situ hybridisation. Separate analyses were undertaken for placentas of male and female conceptuses to account for potential sexual dimorphism.Results: Placental glycogen stores peak at E15.5, having increased over 5-fold from E12.5, before declining by a similar extent at E18.5. Glycogen stores were 17% higher in male placentas than in females at E15.5. Expression of glycogen branching enzyme (Gbe1) was reduced ~40% towards term. Expression of the glucose 6-phosphatae isoform G6pc3 was enriched in glycogen trophoblast cells and increased towards term.Discussion: Reduced expression of Gbe1 suggests a decline in glycogenesis, and specifically, glycogen branching towards term. Expression of G6pc3 by glycogen trophoblasts is consistent with an ability to produce and release glucose from glycogen stores. However, the ultimate destination of the glucose generated from placental glycogen remains to be elucidated. Highlights Placental glycogen stores peak at embryonic day 15.5 and decline 4-fold by E18.5 Expression of glycogen branching enzyme Gbe1 declines ~40% from E12.5 The glucose phosphatase isoform G6pc3 is expressed in the mouse placenta G6pc3 expression is enriched in glycogen trophoblast cells G6pc3 expression in glycogen cells is consistent with glucose production *Highlights *Manuscript References Click here to download Manuscript + References: 4 -GlyT Paper Text.docx Click here to view linked References
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.