Hepatectomy-nephrectomy effects in the pregnant rat and fetus.

Abstract

Level6 of circulating glucose, glycerol, end FFA concentrations were determined before end efter hepatectomy-nephrectomy 1n 20 dey pregnant rats end virgin controls. After evisceration, blood glucose levels decreased 1n e pa rel lel ,..ay in both g!"oups whereas in pregnant rats, th<= blood glycercl level increased less end plasma-FFA rose mo~e than in controls. Maternal evisceration caused reduced blood glucose end enhanced glycerol levels in fetuses, whereas fetal plasma-FFA levels v-=re unmodified. Results indicate that extrahepatic glucose utilization re~ained stable in the late pregnar,t rat. Fetal levels of circulating glycercl, but not of FFA, appeared directly dependent on maternal levels. It is propcsed that under normal conditions, glycerol availability to the fetus is lo~, due to its preferential utilization by maternal gluconeogenic organs which reduced the amount available for possible placental transfer,