Abstract
Net fetal glucose uptake has been measured by us previously in fetal lambs using the Fick Principle. This study compares simultaneous measurements of net fetal glucose uptake with fetal glucose turnover rates, using primed-constant infusions of 14C-l-glucose and either 3H-2 or 3H-6-glucose carried out in chronic animal preparations. The glucose turnover rates of placenta plus fetus, expressed as mg min−1 Kg−1 were: 12.02±1.35 SEM (14C label) and 13.78±1.61 SEM (3H label). However, the placenta accounted for a large fraction of these turnover rates. Forty to seventy percent of the infused labeled glucose was taken up by the placenta. The glucose turnover rates of the fetal body (mg min Kg−1) were: 5.22±0.62 SEM (14C label) and 8.85±1.63 SEM (3H label). The simultaneously measured fetal glucose uptake via the umbilical circulation was 4.81±0.37 SEM (mg min−1 Kg−1). In 4 of 6 animals, fetal glucose uptake and the turnover rate of 14C-1-glucose by the fetal body were virtually equal. Of the infused radioactive glucose, ∼10% was converted to CO2 by the fetus and ∼ 7% to lactate by the placenta. Previous studies of fetal glucose turnover have not discriminated between placental uptake and turnover rate within the fetus. This study demonstrates such discrimination is feasible and should lead to a more meaningful comparison between fetal and neonatal metabolism.
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Hay, W., Sparks, J., Quissell, B. et al. 185 COMPARISON OF UMBILICAL GLUCOSE UPTAKE AND FETAL GLUCOSE TURNOVER RATES. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 394 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00190
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00190