Abstract
Human gestational diabetic pregnancies are associated with fetal macrosomia & delayed surfactant production, especially phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Excess serum myoinositol is associated with delayed appearance of PG.
Three female rabbits, with dated 27 day pregnancies were infused with D15/.2% saline for 48 hours (15 mg glucose/kg/min). Three controls were infused with D4/.2% saline for 48 hours (3 mg glucose/kg/min). Seventy-three fetuses were delivered at 29 days gestation. Although not all D15 treated fetuses were hyperinsulinemic, fetuses were easily divided into low insulin (<82 μU/ml) and high insulin (>140 μU/ml) groups.
Alveolar lavages of fetal lungs with saline were examined for phospholipids, but no differences were found in percentages of sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylethanolamine. PG was undetectable in all specimens.
Previous animal models for diabetic pregnancy have produced severe diabetes with anti-beta cell compounds administered to the mother. Fetal wastage & growth retardation often result. This model produces a late gestational hyperglycemic state with fetal hyperinsulinemia, macrosomia, & increased serum myoinositol.
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Wermer, D., Hallman, M. & Gluck, L. 1461 INDUCED FETAL HYPERINSULINEMIA AND MACROSOMIA. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 686 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01490
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01490