Effects of stress during pregnancy on hepatic glucogenic capacity in rat dams and their fetuses.

Stress during pregnancy is associated with metabolic dysfunction in the adult offspring in human and other animals. However, little is known about the metabolic effects of pregnancy stress on the mothers and fetuses during pregnancy itself. This study aimed to determine the consequences of the common experimental procedures of injection and single housing in pregnant rats on fetal and maternal hepatic glucogenic capacities.

Accidental acetaminophen overdose results in liver transplant during second trimester of pregnancy: a case report.

Acetaminophen overdose is the most rapidly growing cause of fulminant hepatic failure in Western countries. Pregnant women are counseled that acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy and an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. This report describes a case of acetaminophen overdose during the second trimester of pregnancy with resultant fulminant hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation.

Differential effects of prenatal stress and glucocorticoid administration on postnatal growth and glucose metabolism in rats.

Glucocorticoid administration during pregnancy programmes cardiovascular and metabolic functions in the adult offspring. Often, the control procedures are stressful per se and raise maternal glucocorticoid concentrations. This study compared the effects of maternal injection with dexamethasone (dex, 200 microg/kg) or saline with no treatment from 15 to 20 days of rat pregnancy on offspring growth and glucose metabolism.

Effects of maternal dietary manipulation during different periods of pregnancy on hepatic glucogenic capacity in fetal and pregnant rats near term.

Background And Aim: Low birth weight is associated with an increased incidence of adult glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in humans. In pregnant rats, dietary calorie or protein deprivation results in growth retarded pups, which become glucose intolerant adults with abnormal hepatic glucose metabolism and gluconeogenic enzyme activities. However, whether these abnormalities are present before birth remain unknown.

Role of leptin in the regulation of growth and carbohydrate metabolism in the ovine fetus during late gestation.

Leptin is an important regulator of appetite and energy expenditure in adulthood, although its role as a nutritional signal in the control of growth and metabolism before birth is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of leptin on growth, carbohydrate metabolism and insulin signalling in fetal sheep. Crown-rump length-measuring devices and vascular catheters were implanted in 12 sheep fetuses at 105-110 days of gestation (term 145 +/- 2 days).