Perinatal development of glucoeneogenic enzymes in rabbit liver

Activities of the 4 hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes: glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, pyruvate carboxylase, particulate and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) have been measured in fetal rabbits (22, 25, 28, 30 and 31 days of gestation) and in fasted or suckling newborns (1 and 2 days after birth). Between days 25 and 31 of gestation, fructose 1,6-diphosphatase and particulate PEPCK activities represent 50% of adult (pregnant female) activities, while pyruvate carboxylase is present at adult values during the same period. Glucose-6-phosphatase is low and cytosolic PEPCK absent in fetal liver until 30 days of gestation and increase significantly during the day preceding birth. Al the enzymes show a further increase after birth independently of the nutritional status of the animals (starved or suckling).