Carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy VIII : metabolism of adipose tissue isolated from fed and fasted pregnant rats during late gestation.

Abstract

The effects of late pregnancy on adipose 1etabolism have been examined in fed and fasted mbar fat was excised from 19-day pregnant and ched virgin rats which had been given un- :d access to food ("fed") or fasted for 48 h,:- acrifice. e fed state, adipose tissue from pregnant rats d an increased content of free fatty acids (FFA). incided with augmented cleavage of preformed es during incubation in vitro as evidenced by net production of FFA and glycerol, and altered on of labeled glucose. The enhanced Jipolysis ependent of the availability of glucose and was ,mpanied by impaired responsiveness to the autior to the lipogenic actions of added insulin. In ence of glucose and albumin, csterificatioi:t as well ·sis was greater in adipose tissue from pregnant 1gravid animals. All the differences were exagby prier fasting. properties of adipose tissue during late gestae been ascribed to a primary activation of lipolyer than impaired esterification or resistance to It has been suggested that the hormones of cy may be responsible. Although increased infood and heightened availability of insulin may offset the net lipolytic effects in the fed state, a heightened turnover of adipose stores is always present. Thus, the pregnant animal appears better poised to mobilize preformed fat whenever exogenous nutriens are withheld.