Pancreatic beta cell function in the fetal pig and sow

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Fetal insulin secretion is crucial for growth and development.
• Understanding maternal-fetal endocrine interactions is vital for perinatal health.
• Previous studies suggest potential influences of invasive procedures on fetal physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate insulin secretion in fetal and maternal pigs under different physiological conditions.
• To assess the impact of anesthesia and surgery on pancreatic beta cell function.
• To compare insulin and glucose levels in fetuses and neonates.

Main Methods:

• Utilized chronically catheterized and acutely anesthetized sows and their fetuses during late gestation.
• Measured plasma insulin and glucose concentrations in maternal and fetal/neonatal subjects.
• Administered exogenous glucose infusions to assess insulinotropic response.

Main Results:

• Fetal plasma insulin was significantly lower than maternal insulin in conscious animals.
• Anesthesia and surgery significantly reduced insulin concentrations in fetuses compared to conscious catheterized piglets.
• Exogenous glucose stimulated insulin release in conscious fetuses but not in anesthetized ones, indicating impaired beta cell function.

Conclusions:

• Anesthesia and surgical stress depress pancreatic beta cell function in pigs, especially in the fetus.
• These findings underscore the need for careful consideration of procedural effects in perinatal research.
• The pig fetus serves as a relevant model for studying human fetal endocrine responses to stress.