A Two-Hour Fetal Glucagon Infusion Stimulates Hepatic Catabolism of Amino Acids in Fetal Sheep.

ABSTRACT: Postnatally, glucagon acutely lowers plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations by stimulating hepatic AA catabolism, but its fetal actions remain unclear. This study tested whether a 2 h fetal glucagon infusion would stimulate hepatic AA catabolism and inhibit placental AA transfer. Late-gestation pregnant sheep (0.9 gestation) underwent surgical, vascular catheterization and received fetal glucagon (n = 8) or vehicle infusions (n = 8) in a crossover design with a 48 h washout period. Nutrient uptake and utilization were assessed during each infusion, and fetal liver and placental tissue were collected post-infusion under hyperglucagonemic (n = 4) or vehicle (n = 4) conditions. Glucagon receptor was identified in fetal hepatocyte and trophoblast cells. Glucagon redu

SUBMITTER: Tanner AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11900341 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature