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Fetal rabbit intestinal absorption: implications for transamniotic fetal feeding
J D Phillips1, J M Diamond, E W Fonkalsrud
1Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine 90024.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Intrauterine growth retardation may be treated by delivering nutrients to the fetus. In rabbits, galactose showed higher intestinal uptake than glucose or fructose, suggesting it may be the preferred carbohydrate for fetal growth.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Fetal Physiology
- Gastrointestinal Development
Background:
- Nutrient delivery via the fetal gastrointestinal tract is a potential prenatal treatment for intrauterine growth retardation.
- Previous animal studies show increased fetal growth with intraamniotic nutrient infusions.
- Optimal composition of intraamniotic feedings requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fetal intestinal nutrient uptake during late gestation in a rabbit model.
- To determine the preferred carbohydrate and amino acid substrates for intraamniotic feeding.
Main Methods:
- Cesarean section delivery of 54 fetuses from 13 time-mated rabbits (gestational days 27-33).
- Everted intestinal sleeve technique to measure radiolabeled carbohydrate and amino acid uptake from jejunal segments.
- Analysis of uptake rates for glucose, fructose, galactose, leucine, lysine, and proline.
Main Results:
- Galactose uptake was more than double that of glucose and fructose.
- Active uptake of glucose, fructose, and galactose increased significantly during the final week of gestation.
- Uptake of leucine, lysine, and proline decreased during the final 5 days of gestation.
Conclusions:
- Fetal intestinal absorption rates vary for different nutrients during late gestation.
- Galactose demonstrates higher uptake compared to other carbohydrates.
- Galactose may be the optimal carbohydrate for intraamniotic nutrient delivery to promote fetal growth.