bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Mothers of Large-for-Gestational-Age Infants: A Postpartum Test for Undetected Maternal Diabetes?
Authors: Pollak Arnold , Brehm Roland , Havelec Liselotte , Lubec Gert , Malamitsi-Puchner A. , Simbrunner G. , Widness John A.
Published: September 2009

Total glycosylated hemoglobin has been evaluated postpartum using a colorimetric (thiobarbituric acid: TBA) method in 50 mothers of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants ( > 90th percentile by weight). 30 women without potential risk factors for chemical diabetes who gave birth to appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants formed the control group. When compared to the control mothers, mean total glycosylated hemoglobin (TBA color) levels were significantly higher in the mothers of LGA infants (p < 0.01). 4 of the latter had an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) done within 5 days postpartum and significantly elevated glycosylated hemoglobin compared to mothers of LGA infants with normal GTT (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant linear correlation was found for mothers of LGA infants between TBA color levels and each of the following: fasting serum glucose (p < 0.001), 1-hour serum glucose (p < 0.001), 2-hour serum glucose (p < 0.001), and infant birth weight (p < 0.05). Analysis of TBA color levels early postpartum might be an alternative method for detecting unsuspected chemical diabetes in pregnancy.
Energy Metabolism of the Newborn Pig during the First 24 h of Life
Authors: Noblet J. , Le Dividich J.
Published: September 2009

Metabolic rates (VO2) and respiratory quotients (RQ) have been measured in newborn pigs kept either in warm (31°C = WG) or in cold (18°C = CG) climatic conditions from birth to 24 h of age. The piglets were allowed to suckle every 80–85 min. At birth VO2 and RQ were high for both treatments. However, they became relatively constant after 30 min of life. They were higher for piglets kept in a cold environment (1.00 vs. 0.95 for RQ). After the first suckling VO2 increased steadily over the first 24 h of life for WG and was kept constant (29.5 ml O2/kg BW/min) for CG. RQ decreased from 0.90 to 0.80. For the first 24 h of life an increase of 55% of VO2 was observed when the ambient temperature was decreased from 31 to 18°C. The fact that RQ was higher for CG than for WG (0.87 vs. 0.83) indicates that the newborn pig kept in cold conditions enhances its utilization of carbohydrates, in order to increase its heat production. Finally, our results show the positive relationship between colostrum intake and metabolic rate and emphasize the nutritional importance of colostrum during the first day of life.
Influence of Drugs on the Bilirubin UDP-Glucuronyltransferase Activity and the Concentration of Y and Z Acceptor Proteins in Rat Liver
Authors: Grimmer Ingrid , Moiler Renate , Gross Johann , Gmyrek Dieter , Klinger Wolfgang
Published: September 2009

The aim of this paper is to report on the influence of phenobarbital, the combination of phenobarbital/nicethamide, the racemate and (+) isomer of methylphenobarbital on the activity of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase and the concentration of intrahepatic Y and Z protein in rats. The activity of bilirubin UDP-glucuronyltransferase increased after the treatment in all groups. Pretreatment with phenobarbital/nicethamide resulted in the highest enzyme activity, using wet weight as reference. (+) Methylphenobarbital isomer as well as the racemate showed effects similar to those of phenobarbital. The concentration of hepatic Y acceptor protein increased in all pretreated groups by about 30%. The drugs did not increase the concentration of Z protein. The (+) isomer of methylphenobarbital seems better suited as an inductive drug in the prophylaxis of hyperbilirubinemia and in the treatment of nonconjugated hyperbilirubinemia than phenobarbital or phenobarbital/nicethamide since it has no sedative effect.
Plasma Amino Acid Patterns, One and Two Hours after Continuous Naso-Gastric Alimentation of Low Birth Weight Infants Fed Two Types of Milk during the First Month of Life
Authors: Pardou A. , Vuye A. , Vis H.L.
Published: September 2009

Plasma amino acid concentrations were determined in the morning, 1 and 2 h after discontinuing any naso-gastric feeding on the 3rd, 5th, 15th and 30th days of life, in order to establish their course according to the moment of sampling and to the type of diet given. Two types of conventional naso-gastric feeding were given in 12 infants with a birth weight of 1,500 g or less. The diets supplied either 1.2 g proteins/100 ml (pooled human milk) or 1.8 g proteins/100 ml (Ê»humanized formula’ with an albumin/casein ratio of 60/40) from the 3rd h to the 30th day of life. No statistically significant difference appeared between the amino acid concentrations 1 and 2 h after discontinuation of naso-gastric alimentation on the 3rd, 5th and 15th days whichever milk was used, but a significant difference appeared for two amino acids on day 30 (phenylalanine and lysine) when fed the humanized formula. It is concluded that caution might be necessary when interpreting amino acid results: the moment of sampling induced a statistically significant difference on day 30 of life only for phenylalanine and lysine in children fed on a Ê»humanized formula’.
Ontogeny of Cyclic Nucleotides in Embryonic Chick Gonads
Authors: Teng Christina
Published: September 2009

The cyclic nucleotides AMP and GMP show characteristic patterns of concentration throughout development in the gonads of the embryonic chick. In the ovary, cyclic AMP concentration varies depending upon whether the ovary is regressing (right) or developing (left). In the regressing right ovary cyclic AMP concentration is 4.25 pmol/106 cells on day 8 and 1.3 pmol/106 cells on day 15 of embryonic development. In the developing left ovary cyclic AMP is approximately one-half that of the right ovary and also decreases throughout this period (2.9 pmol/106 cells on day 8 and 0.75 pmol/106 cells on day 12 through hatching). Cyclic GMP levels, on the other hand, are similar in right and left ovaries on day 10 (4 and 5 fmol/l06 cells, respectively). On day 12, however, cyclic GMP in the regressing right ovary increases 5.5-fold while that in the developing left ovary remains constant. In the testis, cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP remain at 0.9 pmol and 6 fmol per 106 cells, respectively, throughout embryonic development. Micromolar concentrations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP reciprocally inhibit the hydrolysis of each other to a similar degree in the developing left ovary and testis. In the regressing right ovary, however, the hydrolysis of cyclic GMP is not affected by cyclic AMP.
Effect of Acute Perinatal Asphyxia on Development of the Lung and Brain in the Rat
Authors: Zhukova T.P. , Hallman M.
Published: September 2009

Fetal rats were exposed to asphyxia by compression of the umbilical vessels, and the animals were studied shortly after delivery, close to term (21st fetal day). Following asphyxia on the 20th fetal day, the lungs appeared immature. The surface active phospholipids, disaturated lecithin and phosphatidylglycerol, as well as the elastic tissue around the alveoli were lower than in the control littermates. However, lung maturity was little affected following asphyxia on the 17th–18th fetal day. As studied in the brain, hemorrhages in the periventricular area, sometimes intraventricular hemorrhages, were evident (asphyxia on the 17–18th and 20th fetal days). In addition, cells in cerebral cortex were altered following asphyxia of 17- to 18-day-old fetuses. The present animal model clarifies the mechanism of increased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome following acute asphyxia and may prove to be useful in studies of pathogenesis of periventricular hemorrhages.
Age-Related Difference in Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Response to Acute Hypoxia in Neonatal Puppies
Authors: Raju T.N.K. , Bhat R. , Vidyasagar D.
Published: September 2009

Acute hypoxia is known to increase cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure in the fetus and newborn. The combined effects of these changes on cerebral perfusion pressure are unknown. We investigated cerebral perfusion pressure changes in newborn puppies of two age groups (group I, mean age 28 days, group II, mean age 11 days) during acute, severe hypoxia. The results indicate that (1) in both groups the intracranial pressure increases within seconds following the onset of hypoxia; (2) the mean arterial blood pressure drops almost precipitantly in older animals, whereas in group II, the blood pressure is maintained near baseline values up to 4 min, and (3) because of differences in blood pressure responses the cerebral perfusion pressure falls dramatically in group I, whereas in younger animals normotensive response to hypoxia helps maintain the cerebral perfusion pressure for a longer period. We conclude that in young animals early normotensive response to hypoxia assures adequate transmural pressure for the perfusion of brain which may be a built-in protective factor.
Role of Milk-Borne Factors in Weaning and Intestinal Development
Authors: Henning Susan J.
Published: September 2009

To determine whether a factor appearing in the milk at the beginning of the 3rd postnatal week elicits the appearance of jejunal sucrase activity in the pups, pups were raised with dams that had been lactating for either a week less or a week more than their natural mothers. Pups were sacrificed at 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 days of age for assay of jejunal sucrase and for measurement of the proportion of chow in the stomachs. Sucrase activity appeared at the same age in all pups (day 17); however, at days 21 and 23 the enzyme activity was higher in the pups cross-fostered to the longer-lactating dams. Correspondingly, the analysis of stomach contents showed that these pups had almost completed weaning by day 21 whereas the other pups were still taking 40–50% milk. It is concluded that neither the appearance of jejunal sucrase nor the onset of weaning is cued by the appearance of a factor in the milk at the beginning of the 3rd postnatal week. However, the lactational stage of the dam can affect the rate of completion of weaning and, secondarily, the terminal portion of the sucrase rise.
Tissue Oxygen Delivery in Lambs: Effect of Postnatal Age and Acute Hypoxemia
Authors: Weismann Douglas N.
Published: September 2009

Organ tissue arterial oxygen delivery in relation to postnatal age and acute hypoxemia (arterial pO2 34 ± 5 Torr for 30 min) was studied in chronically catheterized, non anesthetized lambs 2–38 days of age. Baseline tissue oxygen delivery to heart and skeletal muscle correlated significantly with postnatal age. Acute hypoxemia induced significantly decreased oxygen delivery to kidney, spleen, ileum, jejunum and skeletal muscle without significant relation to postnatal age. Hypoxemia also induced increased arterial oxygen capacity and hemoglobin concentration which correlated significantly with postnatal age. These results suggest that baseline organ tissue oxygen delivery and response to hypoxemia remain constant during early postnatal maturation. Furthermore, hypoxemia may induce an apparent shift of fluid from the intravascular compartment which is greater in older lambs.
Perinatal Changes in Activity of Lysosomal Glycosidases in Rat Colon
Authors: Litin Bradley S. , Koldovský Otakar
Published: September 2009

Four acid glycosidases have been studied in the colon from developing rats: β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-galactosidase, α-fucosidase, and β-glucuronidase. These four enzymes exhibit substantial changes in specific activity during maturation from fetus to adult. Further, the location of maximal enzyme activity changes from proximal to distal colon during development. Whereas 1- to 8-day-old suckling rats exhibited higher enzyme specific activities in the proximal than in the distal colon (1.2- to 4.9-fold higher), the adult rat colonic glycosidases always were higher in specific activity in the distal than in the proximal colon (1.2- to 1.3-fold higher, except 1.9-fold higher for β-N-acetylglucosaminidase). The gradient of enzyme activity along the colon length changed more in sucklings than in adults. Whereas the activity only varied 1.3- to 3.0-fold along the length of the adult rat colon, variation of 2.3-to 10-fold occurred in different segments of the suckling rat colon.
Development in vitro of Fatty Acid Synthesis in Perirenal Adipose Tissue from New-Born Lambs
Authors: Vernon Richard G.
Published: September 2009

Pieces of perirenal adipose tissue from new-born lambs were maintained in tissue culture for 5 days in the presence of insulin. During this period there was a 7-fold increase in the rate of fatty acid synthesis. Both omission of insulin from the culture medium and addition of ovine growth hormone to the culture medium resulted in a significantly lower rate of fatty acid synthesis. The results are compared with changes in the rate of fatty acid synthesis in vivo in neonatal lambs and the probable roles of insulin and growth hormone in the regulation of fatty acid synthesis in neonatal lambs are discussed.
Prenatal Development of Brown Adipose Tissue in Man
Authors: Moragas Augusto , Torán Nuria
Published: September 2009

In a series of 110 liveborn infants who died within 24 h of birth, and six 14-to 17-week-old fetuses, the development of perirenal brown fat was studied by morphometric and biomathematical methods. Brown fat was present at the 20th week of age and, taking as index of maturity the population of multilocular adipocytes, its development progressed according to a 3-parametric logistic growth function, with a half-time of 26 weeks and a tendency to asymptotic stabilization by the 35th week. Unilocular adipocytes appeared early and their low percentage (10.9%) remained relatively stable. Brown fat development in 75% of the cases of small-for-dates corresponded to that of infants with matched postconceptional age but appropriate birth weight. Abnormal cases presented whether a persistence of immature patterns or an unusual predominance of unilocular cells. No changes due to lipolysis were detected in any case.
Evidence that Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Can Support an Active Gluconeogenesis in the Suckling Newborn Rat
Authors: Turlan P. , Ferre P. , Girard J.R.
Published: September 2009

Long-chain fatty acid oxidation was inhibited in 1-day-old suckling rats by 2-tetradecylglycidic acid. Within 6 h it induced profound hypoketonemia and hypoglycemia together with a decreased rate of gluconeogenesis estimated from [U-14-C]-lactate incorporation into glucose. Medium-chain triglyceride feeding restored, within 3 h, normal blood concentrations of ketones and glucose as well as a high gluconeogenic rate from [U-14-C]-lactate. It is concluded that in the suckling newborn rat 2-tetradecylglycidic acid is effective in inhibiting selectively long-chain fatty acid oxidation and that medium-chain fatty acid oxidation can support an active gluconeogenesis.
A Comparative Study of the Distribution and Fatty Acid Composition of the Lipoproteins in the Fetal and Maternal Plasma of Sheep
Authors: Noble R.C. , Shand J.H.
Published: September 2009

Fetal plasma contained significantly lower amounts of lipoproteins than the mother. In both mother and fetus, high density lipoprotein (HDL) was the major fraction. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) accounted for 12% of total plasma lipid in the mother but only 4% in the fetus. Maternal and fetal plasmas showed similar distributions of lipids in their HDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL) with cholesteryl esters comprising the major lipid of both and LDL having a higher level of triglycerides and lower level of phospholipids than HDL. Low levels of triglycerides were present in fetal VLDL. There were pronounced increases in levels of unsaturated fatty acids with increasing lipoprotein density. In the mother, levels of linoleic acid increased and in the fetus palmitoleic and oleic acids increased. The major saturated fatty acids in the fetal lipoproteins was palmitic acid and in the maternal lipoproteins stearic acid. In contrast to the mother, LDL and HDL of the fetus showed similar fatty acid compositions.
Effect of Postnatal Hypoxia on the Energy Homeostasis of the Newborn Rat during the Early Neonatal Period
Authors: Arizmendi C. , Maties M. , Benito M. , Medina J.M.
Published: September 2009

Newborn rats breathing a low-oxygen mixture showed similar rates of glycogenolysis to newborns breathing air. However, hypoxia prevented the decrease of plasma glucose and lactate concentrations which occurred in newborns breathing air immediately after delivery. The time-course of plasma alanine was not affected by experimental hypoxia. The decrease in the liver lactate/pyruvate ratio observed in control newborns immediately after delivery was prevented by hypoxia. Lower blood oxygen concentrations were observed in hypoxic animals throughout the observation period. Lower ATP concentrations were observed in hypoxic newborns during the first hour after delivery but similar values were observed in both groups thereafter.
Effect of Pregnancy and Diabetes on Myofibrillar Protease Activity in Maternal and Fetal Muscles
Authors: Amin Riad , Shafrir Eleazar
Published: September 2009

The activity of protease was investigated by cleavage of 14C-labelled globin by the isolated myofibrillar fraction of maternal and fetal muscles of nonpregnant, pregnant, and pregnant diabetic rats, on days 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Diabetes was produced by i.p. strep-tozotocin injection on day 5 or 12 of pregnancy. There was no change in muscle protease activity on day 15 of pregnancy in nondiabetic rats, compared to nonpregnant control rats, whereas on day 20 protease activity rose in the gastrocnemius by 25%, in the diaphragm by 30%, and only slightly in the heart. Diabetes, imposed during days 12–20 of pregnancy, induced a further increase in protease activity in the gastrocnemius (42 %), diaphragm (47 %), and heart (25%). In rats with diabetes lasting from day 5 to 20 of gestation there were only slight further increases in protease activity. In contrast, maternal diabetes did not induce changes in myofibrillar protease activity of fetal leg or heart muscles compared with the corresponding muscles of fetuses of nondiabetic rats. The increased protease activity on the maternal side occurred at low insulin levels and/or reduced insulin sensitivity, whereas the absence of changes in protease activity on the fetal side was associated with sustained or even increased presence of insulin. This suggests that the adaptive changes in protease activity, in both pregnancy and superimposed diabetes, are related to insulin availability and its effectiveness.
Carbonic Anhydrase in the Human Fetal Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Lönnerholm Gudmar , Wistrand Per
Published: September 2009

Tissues from human fetuses with a gestational age of 19–26 weeks were studied by histochemical and biochemical methods. In gastric homogenates both the catalytic activity and the immunoassayable amount of carbonic anhydrase increased with gestational age. The enzyme activity and isoenzyme pattern in a fetus of 26 weeks were similar to those found in adult gastric mucosa. High enzyme activity was demonstrated histochemically in the gastric surface epithelium at a gestational age of 19 weeks. At this age, the number of stained parietal cells was low, but it increased considerably with gestational age. In all fetal gastrointestinal tissues tested there was a total lack of capillary staining for carbonic anhydrase activity, which contrasts to the clear staining found in adult tissues. The amounts of carbonic anhydrase in the small intestine were lower in the fetuses than in adults, especially in the jejunum; the difference was greater for the isoenzyme HCA-B than for HCA-C. Histochemically, the staining of jejunal epithelial cells in the fetuses was clearly reduced, both on the villi and in the crypts. In the ileum, single epithelial cells on the villi were distinctly stained, a finding similar to that in adult ileal epithelium. The colon showed the most striking differences between fetal and adult tissues, with much lower levels of both isoenzymes HCA-B and HCA-C and less staining of the epithelium in the fetal colon. Thus, the developmental pattern of carbonic anhydrase varied considerably among the intestinal tissues. The functional significance of the differences between fetal and adult tissues is only partly understood at present.
Effects of Acute Hemorrhage on Some Physiological Parameters of the Cardiovascular System in Newhorn Pigs
Authors: LeGal Yves M.
Published: September 2009

Changes in hemodynamics and blood components were studied in newly born pigs bled one-third of their measured blood volume. Decrease in heart rate accompanied the significant drop in arterial and central venous pressures after blood loss. The recovery of heart rate, arterial and venous pressures from hemorrhage during the 24 h that followed and the concomitant decrease in the hematocrit indicated that recovery was due to the replenishment of plasma volume. The pattern of plasma volume restoration was similar to that of the adult man and adult animal except that it occurred at a much faster rate with a tendency to over-compensate. The restoration of the total amount of circulating plasma proteins was completed within 14 h of the initiation of hemorrhage. The rapid influx of proteins into the circulation was primarily due to the albumin, alpha-globulin and fibrinogen fractions. The highly significant increase in the circulating reticulocytes that took place from the 12- to 24-hour period after blood loss suggests a large increase in erythropoietic activity. Data obtained from this study support the concept that the cardiovascular regulatory system is, at birth, different from the adult. They also indicate that, at least, some of the homeostatic processes involved in the restoration of blood volume and plasma proteins are functional in the neonate.
Postnatal Development of Plasma Prolactin Level in Premature Infants with and without NaCl Supplementation
Authors: Ertl T. , Sulyok E. , Varga L. , Csaba I.F.
Published: September 2009

The role of prolactin in the adaptation of premature infants to the alterations of sodium balance was investigated by measuring plasma prolactin levels serially in 7 low birth weight, premature infants with (group I) and without (group II) NaCl supplementation. The study was performed on the 7th day and weekly thereafter until the 5th week of life. NaCl supplementation was given in a dose of 3–5 mEq/kg/day and 1.5–2.5 mEq/kg/day for 8–21 days and 22–35 days, respectively. It was demonstrated that before NaCl supplementation plasma prolactin concentration was similarly elevated in the two groups (6,490 ± 1,291 mU/l in group I versus 7,661 ± 1,094 mU/l in group II), and without supplementation it remained at about the same level throughout the study. When supplemental sodium was given, the plasma prolactin level declined with age at a steady rate to the mean value of 3,516 ± 502 mU/l by the end of 5th week. In the 3rd-5th weeks it proved to be significantly higher in group II than in group I. It is concluded that physiological sodium depletion may account for the prolonged hyperprolactinemia and prolactin might have some importance in the control of sodium homeostasis in low birth weight, premature infants.
Lack of Effect of Chronic Hyperinsulinaemia on Growth and Body Composition in the Fetal Pig
Authors: Garssen G.J. , Spencer G.S.G. , Colenbrander B. , Macdonald A.A. , Hill D.J.
Published: September 2009

Chronic hyperinsulinaemia in the presence of euglycaemia was obtained in pig fetuses using implanted osmotic minipumps to deliver 3 U of insulin per day over 14 days (90–104 days gestational age); term is 114 days. Total body growth (length and weight) was unaffected by insulin administration, although some changes in organ weights were observed. There was a significant retardation of lung growth (apparently as a result of operative stress) and, in the insulin-treated fetuses, an increase in liver weight which was attributable to enhanced glycogen deposition. Two of the insulin-treated fetuses appeared to have an increase in subcutaneous fat at delivery, but overall there was no statistically significant change in body fat, water, or protein content of the carcases. Growth hormone levels in all the fetuses were high, but there were no differences between treatment groups. Bioassayable plasma somatomedin activity was increased in the insulin-treated fetuses. It is proposed that this increase may be a result of insulin-induced enhancement of liver growth hormone receptors. From these data we conclude that a 14-day period of hyperinsulinaemia towards the end of gestation does not stimulate growth of the pig fetus despite producing an increase in somatomedin activity. The growth enhancement seen in offspring from diabetic mothers is probably due to increased nutrient availability rather than a direct effect of fetal insulin. Insulin does, however, significantly increase glycogen deposition in the fetus.
Moderately Increased Hemolysis in Newborn Infants with Hyperbilirubinemia of Unknown Etiology
Authors: Buonocore G. , Berti D. , Cito G. , Hayek Y. , Bracci R.
Published: September 2009

Serial determinations of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels were performed in full-term newborn infants during the first few days of life and their mothers. A close correlation was found between COHb in the mother and that determined in the cord blood. The correlation between COHb in the mother at delivery and that found in the neonate disappeared after 48 h of life. The determination of COHb after this period demonstrated significantly higher values of COHb levels in jaundiced neonates compared with normal infants. Determinations of erythrocyte age-dependent enzyme activities carried out at birth and after 5 days of life did not demonstrate any significant difference between the mean values in jaundiced and normal infants. However, the normal infants demonstrated a decrease of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate-kinase activities from birth to the 5th day which is not appreciable in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia of unknown etiology. The results are discussed in relation to the role of hemolysis in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Effects of Cholecystokinin Octapeptide and Hydrocortisone on the Development of Fetal Rat Pancreas
Authors: Werlin Steven L. , Stefaniak John
Published: September 2009

Mechanisms and development of pancreas and pancreatic secretory function were studied in the rat. Injections of cholecystokinin octapeptide and hydrocortisone into pregnant rats altered pancreatic size, zymogen enzyme, and DNA content in the fetal newborn pancreas. These studies suggest that the developmental signals for pancreatic function may be related to endogenous release of cholecystokinin or hydrocortisone in the perinatal period.
Fetal Ovarian Hilar Cells and Testicular Leydig Cells in Various Complications of Pregnancy
Authors: Zondek Lilly H. , Zondek Theodor
Published: September 2009

The presence of ovarian hilar cells in fetuses and neonates whose mothers suffered from complications of pregnancy such as toxaemia of pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, accidental haemorrhage, hydrops foetalis and multiple pregnancy, has been investigated and compared with the presence of testicular Leydig cells in similar conditions. The examination of ovaries from 62 cases with complications of pregnancy and of 113 controls showed that such conditions did not have an influence on the presence of hilar cells in the fetal and neonatal ovary. These findings are in marked contrast to our previous observations in the fetal and neonatal testis where the mean number of Leydig cells was found to be significantly raised in cases associated with complications of pregnancy as compared with controls. This further confirms our view, already expressed in a previous publication on the ovaries and testes of anencephalic monsters, that fetal and neonatal ovarian hilar cells and testicular Leydig cells are not strictly comparable, at least in their response to hormonal stimuli.
Role of Gastrin and Cholecystokinin in the Ontogenic Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Zahavi Ilan , Kelly James , Gall Grant
Published: September 2009

The role of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) in postnatal development of the small intestine was examined in infant rabbits. Experimental animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of pentagastrin, 500 μg/kg, or CCK-octapeptide, 40 μg/kg, starting on day 3 of life. The animals were sacrificed at age 17–18 days. Weight and histologic sections of pancreas, stomach, duodenum, proximal jejunum, and ileum were obtained and mucosal lactase and sucrase activities determined in the intestinal segments. No differences were seen in any of the parameters assessed in pentagastrin-treated animals compared to saline-injected littermate controls. Body weight, weight and morphology of pancreas, stomach and intestinal segments, and enzyme activities did not differ significantly. Na+ transport in proximal jejunum under short-circuited conditions was not altered by pentagastrin. CCK-octapeptide also had no effect on weight or morphology of pancreas, stomach, and duodenum, but did lead to a significant increase in weight of proximal jejunum and ileum. Mucosal enzyme activities and morphometric measurements of villus height and mucosal thickness, however, did not differ significantly between CCK-octapeptide-treated animals and saline-injected littermate controls. The increase in weight of jejunal and ileal segments was reflected by an increase in thickness of the muscle layer. The findings indicate that neither gastrin nor CCK plays a role in the ontogenic development of the small intestine.
Effects of Human Albumin Infusion on Transepidermal Water Loss in Newborn Infants
Authors: Hammarlund K. , Hellsing K. , Sedin G. , Strömberg B.
Published: September 2009

A study was made to determine whether the high transepidermal water loss in preterm newborn infants is affected by infusion of human albumin. In 7 preterm infants, born after 25–30 weeks of gestation, 0.5 g of human albumin per kilogram body weight (b.w.) was infused through an umbilical artery catheter in 6 h on the 1st day after birth. In 2 other infants, born after 28 completed weeks of gestation, human albumin in an amount of 1.0 g/kg body weight was infused. The plasma albumin concentration increased significantly from a pre-infusion value of 27.1 to 29.5 g/l after 4 h of infusion. Simultaneously the transepidermal water loss decreased from 26.6 to 23.5 g/(m2·h); this difference was also significant. Within 2 h after the end of the albumin infusion, both the plasma albumin concentration and the transepidermal water loss had returned to levels that were not significantly different from the pre-infusion values. Plasma osmolality and sodium concentration did not alter during the infusion, nor did arterial blood pressure.
Effects of Dexamethasone Administration to Pregnant Rats on Adenylate Cyclase and Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase Activities in the Maternal and Fetal Lungs
Authors: Chaudhary K.C. , Nijjar M.S.
Published: September 2009

Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities were examined in the maternal and fetal lungs before and after delivery from the saline- and dexamethasone-treated pregnant rats. Basal adenylate cyclase activity in the maternal lungs of control animals did not change after parturition whereas the enzyme activity in fetal lungs increased 2.5-fold after birth. Dexamethasone treatment reduced adenylate cyclase activity in the maternal lungs before and after parturition while the enzyme activity in fetal lungs was increased. The ability of the cytoplasmic factors to activate adenylate cyclase in maternal lungs decreased after parturition. Dexamethasone treatment of the pregnant rat lowered the cytoplasmic activation of the maternal enzyme before and after parturition, but the percent activation of the enzyme in both the maternal and fetal lungs was not affected. The decrease in activator activity of the maternal lungs after parturition was not apparently due to the reduced sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to the same level of the activator protein. However, it would appear that both adenylate cyclase and its activator protein have undergone some maturational changes during lung development. Adrenalectomy of rats did not alter the basal adenylate cyclase activity in lung membranes but reduced the cytoplasmic activation of the enzyme. Unlike pregnant rats, dexamethasone treatment of adrenalectomized rats restored the cytoplasmic activation of adenylate cyclase not only to the control value, but potentiated it even higher than the control without affecting the basal adenylate cyclase activity. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in both the maternal and fetal lungs was not influenced by parturition. However, dexamethasone treatment lowered cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in both the maternal and fetal lungs at both ages. Dexamethasone treatment of pregnant rats elevated phospholipids and lowered DNA levels in the maternal as well as fetal lungs. These data are consistent with the view that dexamethasone treatment of pregnant rats during late gestation may elevate cyclic AMP levels to induce fetal lung maturation with a concomitant decrease in cellular proliferation.
Iron Status of the Preterm Infant during the First Year of Life
Authors: Halliday Henry L. , Lappin Terence R.J. , McClure Garth
Published: September 2009

The iron status of 49 preterm infants (mean gestational age 33,1 weeks) was assessed serially during the 1st year of life. Haemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin, serum transferrin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation were measured on nine occasions in each infant. In 16 infants of gestational age 28-32 weeks the haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower at 3, 6, and 9 weeks when compared to 33 infants of gestational age 33-36 weeks. For all other measures of iron status there were no significant differences between these gestational age groups. For the entire group of 49 infants the mean haemoglobin concentration reached a nadir of 11.2 g/dl at 9 weeks. Mean serum iron and transferrin saturation reached peaks of 24 μmol/l and 65%, respectively, at 3 weeks. The mean serum ferritin remained over 100 μg/l until after 18 weeks. 13 infants (26%) had iron deficiency defined as either serum ferritin < 10 μg/l (n = 10) or transferrin saturation < 10% (n = 5) or both (n = 3).
Sodium Cholate Interactions with Rabbit’s Pulmonary Surfactant
Authors: Donoso Paulina , Oyarzún Manuel J. , Segovia Alejandra , Guerrero Mario , Puig Fernando
Published: September 2009

In order to assay the possibility that sodium cholate interacts with pulmonary surfactant, we obtained bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from lungs of adult rabbits and measured the hysteresis area of surface tension-area loops of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a Wilhelmy surface tension balance, before and after the addition of sodium cholate to reach different concentrations. We observed a biphasic behavior: at a low concentration of sodium cholate (1.5 × 10––5 mol/l; n = 6) the hysteresis area increased (p < 0.05) as compared to its control (initial) area, meanwhile at a higher concentration (5 × 10––5 mol/l; n = 6) the hysteresis area decreased (p < 0.025), revealing a likely interaction of sodium cholate with pulmonary surfactant. We conclude that sodium cholate is able to interact in vitro with lung surfactant.
Differential Stabilities of Fetal Intestinal Disaccharidases Determine Their Relative Amounts Released into Amniotic Fluid
Authors: Potier Michel , Morin Pierre-R. , Melançon Serge B. , Dallaire Louis
Published: September 2009

Comparison of relative disaccharidase activities in jejunal mucosa, amniotic fluid, and meconium samples taken from the ileum, proximal and distal colon of 5 human fetuses, indicates that trehalase and lactase are more sensitive to the denaturation conditions existing in the fetal intestinal lumen than maltase, sucrase, palatinase and turanase. Relative activities of sensitive disaccharidases (trehalase and lactase) were also low in the amniotic fluid of these fetuses as compared to the jejunal mucosa. These results suggest that the in vivo stability of disaccharidases, exposed to proteolytic digestion and other denaturing conditions in the fetal intestinal lumen, governs the relative activities of these enzymes released into the amniotic fluid.
Litter Size, Maternal Parameters, and Brain and Body Parameters of Neonatal Rats
Authors: Zamenhof Stephen , van Marthens Edith
Published: September 2009

The present work is concerned with the effect of natural litter size in the rat on the brain and body parameters of individual newborns, with particular reference to those newborns that were ‘outstanding’ (i.e., had parameters higher than mean ± 2 SD). Correlations between litter size on one side, and length of gestation, number of stillborns, maternal weight at conception and maternal food consumption were also studied. To our knowledge, no previous report presented a similar integrated study on such a large number of rats (288 litters, 2,725 newborns) and wide range of litter size (2–17).
Uterine and Fetal Growth following Unilateral Hysterectomy-Ovariectomy in Ewes
Authors: Anthony R.V. , Parker R.O. , Kaltenbach C.C. , Dunn T.G.
Published: September 2009

The left uterine horn and ovary (UHOX; n = 25) or just the left ovary (UOX; n = 18) were excised from mature ewes to investigate growth capabilities of the uterus and uterine capacity effects on fetal growth in sheep. The remaining right uterine horns were excised from 5 UHOX ewes on day 13 of the second successive estrous cycle following initial surgery and were compared to 11 left uterine horns previously obtained from UHOX ewes during the midluteal phase of the estrous cycle. Uterine and endometrial content of DNA, RNA, protein, and number of myometrial nuclei indicated that removal of the left uterine horns resulted in hypertrophy of the right uterine horns. The conception rate of the remaining 20 UHOX ewes was lower than of the 18 UOX ewes. However, at 140 days of gestation, there appeared to be no uterine capacity effects on fetal growth.
The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Structurally Diverse Chemicals on the Ontogeny of Rat Dehydrogenases
Authors: Stewart J.L. , Newhouse C.L. , Wagner M.V. , Bradshaw W.S.
Published: September 2009

Activity levels of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were measured in the livers and brains of rats treated prenatally with 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (4CB, 3 mg/kg/day), diethylstilbestrol (DES, 10 μg/kg/day), zeranol (ZN, 4mg/kg/day), and cadmium (Cd, 25 mg/kg/day) and compared with enzyme levels for control groups. Enzyme activities were measured at days 15, 17, 19, and 21 prenatally, and days 1,5, 10, 21, 35, and 56 postnatally. SDH activity was not altered by treatment with 4CB, DES, or ZN, but Cd produced reduced levels in both liver and brain of sexually mature offspring. The patterns of LDH and G6PDH, including sexual differentiation of the latter in adult liver, were not affected by any of the treatments in either tissue. The developmental profiles of each of these enzymes in untreated animals is unique, suggesting that a similar catalytic mechanism is not a factor in determining the patterns of their developmental accumulation.
Maternal-Fetal Relationships in the Parathyroidectomized Rat
Authors: Ibrahim Muawia M. , Thomas Mary L. , Forte Leonard R.
Published: September 2009

We studied the role of the parathyroids in the adaptation of intestinal Ca transport that occurs during pregnancy, and whether maternal hypoparathyroidism causes fetal hyperparathyroidism. Serum Ca of pregnant parathyroidectomized (PTX) rats was significantly greater than nonpregnant, PTX animals. Intestinal active Ca transport was increased 2.1- and 2.2-fold by pregnancy in intact and PTX rats, respectively. Serum levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) were nondetectable in PTX-pregnant rats. Fetuses from PTX rats appeared grossly normal. The serum PTH was not different in fetuses from PTX compared to fetuses from intact mothers and serum Ca, Mg, and P were normal. Thus, alleviation of maternal hypocalcemia during pregnancy in PTX rats may be due to an adaptive increase in intestinal Ca transport, which does not require the parathyroids. Fetuses from PTX mothers were euparathyroid and were protected from Ca deficiency during pregnancy.
Kinetic Studies on IgG Transport by the Jejunum of the Neonatal Rat
Authors: Solari R. , Morris B. , Morris R.
Published: September 2009

A 0.2-ml dose containing 500 μg labelled rat IgG saturated the receptor-mediated transport system of the enterocytes of the jejunum of the small intestine. At subsaturation dose levels very little intracellular digestion of IgG occurred – the intact transport system was primarily employed. The uptake of IgG by enterocytes, at doses above saturation, was assessed over periods up to 6 h. There was an initial phase of rapid intracellular digestion by the enterocytes, followed by a much longer period during which the receptor-mediated transport system discharged intact IgG into the vascular compartment. The observations are discussed in the light of recent evidence relating to the numbers of IgG receptors on jejunal enterocytes.
Development of Suckling Controls in the Rat: Independence from Thyroxine
Authors: Romano Tami J. , Henning Susan J.
Published: September 2009

Until 2 weeks of age, rat pups attach to the nipples of their dam with the same avidity regardless of whether they are fed or fasted. During the 3rd postnatal week, some mode of control of suckling appears such that fasted pups attach much more rapidly than fed pups. In this study we have investigated the effects of hyper- and hypothyroidism on the maturation of suckling controls. Surprisingly, the results indicate that this aspect of behavioral development is independent of the thyroxine status of the pup. We conclude that the maturation of suckling controls is not cued by the developmental rise of serum thyroxine that occurs during the 2nd postnatal week.
Histochemical Observations of Lipids in the Cerebellum of Young Gunn Rats
Authors: Keino Hiroomi , Katoh-Semba Ritsuko , Aoki Eiko , Kashiwamata Shigeo
Published: September 2009

Cerebella of 20-day-old homozygous (jj) and heterozygous (j+) Gunn rats were examined histochemically for the presence of lipids. The j+ rat cerebellum showed no lipid granules, whereas many granules were recognized in the hypoplastic jj rat cerebellum. The degree of appearance of lipid granules differed considerably among the lobes – a high content in the declive and tuber but none in the nodulus. Two kinds of cells showed a strong acid phosphatase activity and contained many lipid granules. It is suggested that the accumulation of lipids, probably cholesteryl esters, is closely related to the enhanced activity of the lysosomal system in the hypoplastic jj rat cerebellum severely injured by bilirubin.
Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase and Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase Activity in Premature and Full-Term Asphyxiated Newborns
Authors: Zanardo Vincenzo , Bondio Mario , Perini Gabriella , Temporin Gian Franco
Published: September 2009

The serum activity of SGOT and SGPT is one of the more specific parameters of liver cell injury both in adults and in the pediatric age-group. The determination of serum transaminase activity could offer a routine and rapid laboratory test for establishing the presence of hepatic cellular damage following intrauterine or perinatal asphyxia. In fact, it appears that there is a correlation between hypoxia and the increase in serum activity of transaminases in full-term and premature asphyxiated newborns. However, this increase is reversible up to the 30th day of life. The behavior of transaminase enzymatic activity in premature asphyxiated newborns compared to full-term asphyxiated newborns suggests a higher resistance of membranes to hypoxic-ischemic injuries and a lower enzymatic pool of cellular metabolism in premature newborns. Therefore, knowledge of the behavior of SGOT and SGPT activity may have important implications in the diagnosis and early treatment of perinatal asphyxia.
Induction in utero of Hepatic Glucose-6-Phosphatase by Fetal Hypoinsulinemia
Authors: Domenech Mercedes , Gruppuso Philip A. , Susa John B. , Schwartz Robert
Published: September 2009

The effect of fetal hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia on fetal rat hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity was studied. Fetal hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia were produced by inducing maternal hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia secondary to the exogenous administration of insulin via implantation of osmotically driven minipumps on day 15 of gestation into 15 experimental animals. 13 animals served as sham-operated controls. Cesarean sections were performed on day 20 or 21 of gestation under pentobarbital anesthesia. Liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity was increased in the hypoinsulinemic fetuses. In contrast, the hyperinsulinemic mothers had suppressed hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Hypoinsulinemia would appear to be the primary stimulus for enhanced fetal glucose-6-phosphatase in this model.
Alanine Production by the Human Fetus at Term Gestation
Authors: Gilfillan Carol A. , Tserng Kou-Yi , Kalhan Satish C.
Published: September 2009

In a previous study, we demonstrated the complete dependence of the human fetus on the mother for its glucose needs. As alanine is considered the major glucogenic amino acid synthesized endogenously and an important source of urea nitrogen, in the present study we examined whether the human fetus at term gestation can produce alanine. 5 normal pregnant women, undergoing elective cesarean section, were given a constant infusion of [2,3-13C2]alanine in trace quantities for a period of 4 h prior to and during surgery. Isotopic steady state was achieved in the maternal blood by 1.5 h and maintained through anesthesia and surgery. The 13C enrichment (mol% excess) of alanine was measured in the peripheral blood of the mother and in the simultaneously obtained umbilical arterial and venous blood at delivery. Even though the umbilical venous and arterial concentrations of alanine were similar, a 42% decrease in 13C enrichment of alanine occurred between umbilical vein and artery, 1.00 ± 0.23 and 0.58 ± 0.15%, respectively (mean ± SD). These data suggest that the human fetus at term gestation following an overnight maternal fast produces alanine endogenously. This may serve to transfer nitrogen from fetal muscle to the liver for urea synthesis.
Chemical Specificity of the Effects of Branched Chain Amino Acids on Glucagon and Insulin Release in the Suckling Rat
Authors: Jarrousse C. , Dussaillant M.
Published: September 2009

The work presented here aims at investigating the in vitro relationship between amino acids and pancreatic hormonal release in the suckling rat. Among the 20 most usual amino acids, 12 of them were tested on perifused pieces of pancreas in 5.5-day-old rats at a low glucose concentration. Their effects were compared to those induced by a 20 amino acid mixture. A 20 amino acid mixture (10.3 mM) stimulated glucagon and insulin release (154 and 208%, respectively). In the mixture, the 4 pooled amino acids Ala-Gly-Ser-Thr (at 1.4 instead of 4.2 mM) did not induce further modification of the glucagon or insulin release. However, the 3 branched chain amino acids Ile-Leu-Val (at 2.9 instead of 1.4 mM) or the following amino acids Arg-Asn-Phe-Pro-Tyr (at 3.2 instead of 1.6 mM) modulated glucagon or insulin release in the presence of the amino acid mixture. In the absence of Ile-Leu-Val, the amino acid mixture had no effect on the insulin release: 122 compared to 208%. This seems specific to the chemical nature of Ile-Leu-Val since in the absence of Arg-Asn-Phe-Pro-Tyr, the amino acid mixture was still effective on the insulin release (178 compared to 208%). In the absence of Ile-Leu-Val, the amino acid mixture was effective on glucagon release, and revealed the cellular specificity of the branched chain amino acid action.