Hepatectomy-nephrectomy effects in the pregnant rat and fetus

Levels of circulating glucose, glycerol, and FFA concentrations were determined before and after hepatectomy-nephrectomy in 20 day pregnant rats and virgin controls. After evisceration, blood glucose levels decreased in a parallel way in both groups whereas in pregnant rats, the blood glycerol level increased less and plasma-FFA rose more than in controls. Maternal evisceration caused reduced blood glucose and enhanced glycerol levels in fetuses, whereas fetal plasma-FFA levels were unmodified. Results indicate that extrahepatic glucose utilization remained stable in the late pregnant rat. Fetal levels of circulating glycerol, but not of FFA, appeared directly dependent on maternal levels. It is proposed that under normal conditions, glycerol availability to the fetus is low, due to its preferential utilization by maternal gluconeogenic organs which reduced the amount available for possible placental transfer.