Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

3.7K
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.7K
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

1.7K
The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are...
1.7K
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

2.3K
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
2.3K
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

5.4K
Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
5.4K
Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

Insulin Secretory Vesicles

6.1K
Insulin secretory vesicles release insulin to stimulate blood glucose uptake and regulate carbohydrate metabolism. When the blood glucose levels increase, glucose enters the pancreatic β-islet cells through glucose transporters. Once inside, glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. This increase in ATP concentration closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization of the membrane and the opening of...
6.1K
Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas01:16

Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas

3.6K
The pancreas, a vital organ within the abdominal cavity, plays dual roles in the digestive and endocrine systems, collaborating with exocrine and endocrine cells to maintain optimal digestion and blood sugar levels.
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
3.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Kisspeptin Restores Placental mTOR Signaling and Improves Glucose Homeostasis Mediators Disrupted by Maternal Hypothyroidism in Rats.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Conserved gene expression patterns in the placenta underlie pregnancy complications associated with hypoxia in mice and humans.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

Novel role for PI3Kβ in placental function through regulation of system A amino acid transporter expression, associated with embryonic lethality.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2025
Same author

Mechanisms of Homoarginine: Looking Beyond Clinical Outcomes.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2025
Same author

A genetically small fetus impairs placental adaptations near term.

Disease models & mechanisms·2024
Same author

Early-life exposures and long-term health: adverse gestational environments and the programming of offspring renal and vascular disease.

American journal of physiology. Renal physiology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 14, 2025

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform
09:35

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform

Published on: July 16, 2016

11.4K

Pregnancy-induced changes in β-cell function: what are the key players?

Esteban Roberto Salazar-Petres1, Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi-Perri1

  • 1Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.

The Journal of Physiology
|March 11, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Maternal metabolic adaptations during pregnancy involve pancreatic beta-cell changes to support fetal growth. Understanding these adaptations is key to preventing gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Keywords:
gestational diabetesinsulin resistancematernal adaptationsmetabolismpancreaspregnancyβ-cells

More Related Videos

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds
12:32

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

Published on: January 23, 2018

12.6K
Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres
09:31

Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres

Published on: November 5, 2016

7.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform
09:35

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform

Published on: July 16, 2016

11.4K
High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds
12:32

High-resolution Respirometry to Measure Mitochondrial Function of Intact Beta Cells in the Presence of Natural Compounds

Published on: January 23, 2018

12.6K
Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres
09:31

Sustained Administration of β-cell Mitogens to Intact Mouse Islets Ex Vivo Using Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres

Published on: November 5, 2016

7.5K

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Physiology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Pregnancy requires maternal metabolic adjustments to supply fetal nutrients.
  • Reduced maternal insulin sensitivity increases circulating glucose for fetal transfer.
  • Maternal pancreatic beta-cells adapt through proliferation and enhanced insulin secretion to maintain glucose homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how placental and maternal hormones regulate maternal beta-cell function during pregnancy.
  • To explore the impact of adverse maternal environmental factors on beta-cell adaptation.
  • To identify pathways for preventing pregnancy complications and type 2 diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of human and experimental animal studies.
  • Analysis of hormonal, signaling, transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation of beta-cell function.
  • Examination of environmental influences on maternal metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Pregnancy involves complex hormonal and molecular signaling driving beta-cell adaptation.
  • Adverse maternal conditions can disrupt these adaptive mechanisms.
  • Maternal beta-cells integrate diverse cues to modulate function during gestation.

Conclusions:

  • Better understanding of beta-cell adaptation is needed to prevent gestational diabetes.
  • Targetable pathways could mitigate pregnancy complications and type 2 diabetes risk.
  • Integrating environmental, metabolic, and endocrine cues is crucial for healthy pregnancy outcomes.