A B S T R A C T To determine if pancreatic glucoregulatory hqrmones can be implicated in the glucose fall of pregnancy, we have measured plasma immunoreactive insulin and glucagon (IRI and IRG) in rats. Fed rats in midgestation show a rise in IRI without a corresponding increase in IRG. In late gestation, IRG rises significantly, but only enough to keep pace with a further rise in IRI. On a molar basis, IRI remains the predominant hormone despite a marked fall in blood glucose. After a 48-h fast IRI falls to comparably low levels in pregnant and virgin rats. A small rise in IRG is seen in virgin but not in pregnant rats despite frank hypoglycemia in the latter. Thus, IRG secretion in pregnancy is diminished relative to IRI in the fed state and fails to increase in the fasted state despite the stimulus of a lower glucose in both instances.To evaluate IRG secretory reserve, the IRG response to i.v. alanine was assessed in late gestation. In fed rats a greater IRG increase is seen in pregnancy; after fasting no difference is seen between pregnant and virgin rats. These results preclude an absolute deficiency in glucagon secretion. Pancreas hormone stores were also measured in an effort to explain the altered secretory state. We find reciprocal changes in IRI and IRG content favoring IRG in midgestation and IRI in late gestation. Thus, pancreas hormone storage is altered in pregnancy but does not account for the changes in hormone secretion. Rather, pregnancy exerts
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.