[Effect of human chorionic somatomammotropin on release of glucose by perfused rat liver (author's transl)]

The biological action of hCS was studied in non-recirculating perfusion system of the pregnant rat liver. A modified method of Mortimore and of Millor for the liver perfusion was used. The perfusate was prepared with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with the addition of BSA (2%), glucose (10 mM) and human erythrocytes (Ht. 12%). The results were as follows. 1) The biological condition of the liver remained good during 90 minutes of perfusion as judged by its gross appearance, O2 consumption, CO2 production, bile secretion and the levels of transaminase, K+, pH in effluent and the microscopic observation after the perfusion. 2) An addition of hCS (20 micrograms/ml) to the perfused pregnant liver resulted in a momentary increase of glucose, FFA and K+ concentration in the effluent. 3) The elevation of the glucose level was also observed after the repeated administration of hCS. This release of glucose from perfused liver after hCS administration took, place more rapidly with the progress of the pregnancy. 4) The elevation of glucose level was maintained longer by the continuous administration of hCS (10 micrograms/ml). 5) Hepatic glycogen decreased after the continuous administration of hCS, but it increased in the control group. The level of cyclic-AMP in the perfused liver rose after the continuous administration of hCS.