A kinetic study of carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy. A glucose turn over following one shot intravenous injection

In an attempt to evaluate a clinical use of maternal glucose administration during pregnancy and parturition, changes in glucose space and its turnover rate in pregnancy were determined in pregnant mice. Specific activities in whole blood obtained by serial sampling followed a single intravenous injection of Glucose-U-C ¹⁴ were analyzed by three compartment sequential model (S. M. Skinner et al., 1958). A blood glucose pool size was increased approximately 30% of control, while a total glucose pool size was more enlarged in pregnancy. A half time in the first compartment was accelerated in pregnancy, while those in the second and the third compartment were delayed. A turnover rate in the first compartment was also accelerated in pregnancy; however, a total turnover rate and an irreversible disposal were decreased to 4/5th of the control. Because of a large increase of glucose pool size and tissue utilization in pregnancy, hypertonic glucose of 40% may be more effective than 20% glucose to the correction of fetal glucose environment. Since a peak value in the third compartment was observed at 14 minutes following maternal administration, it is recommended that maternal administration should be done at least 15 minutes before delivery.