AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 245, Issue 4 351-E358, Copyright © 1983 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Glucose metabolism during lactation in the rat: quantitative and regulatory aspects

A. F. Burnol, A. Leturque, P. Ferre and J. Girard

Glucose metabolism was studied in anesthetized lactating rats in the postabsorptive state. Basal levels of blood glucose and plasma insulin were lower in 12-day-lactating rats than in age-matched nonlactating rats. When the pups were removed for 24 h, the maternal blood glucose level reached a value intermediate between lactating and nonlactating values, and the plasma insulin level was the same as in nonlactating rats. Glucose turnover was increased from 3 days postpartum on in lactating rats compared with nonlactating rats. At peak lactation (12-19 days) glucose turnover was 80% higher in lactating than in nonlactating rats. In the lactating rats weaned for 24 h, glucose turnover returned to the value of the nonlactating rats. Insulin secretion in response to an intravenous glucose load (IVGTT) was not modified in lactating rats compared with nonlactating rats but was increased threefold in weaned rats. This suggests that nonlactating tissues are insulin resistant during lactation. During euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, glucose clearance was increased threefold in lactating and in nonlactating rats and twofold in weaned rats, suggesting that glucose metabolism in the mammary gland is affected by insulin. Measurement of lipogenesis gave direct evidence for the insulin responsiveness of the mammary gland and for the insulin resistance of adipose tissue during lactation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Fowler, C. D. Champagne, D. S. Houser, and D. E. Crocker Hormonal regulation of glucose clearance in lactating northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) J. Exp. Biol., September 15, 2008; 211(18): 2943 - 2949. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. F. Anhe, S. M. Hirabara, T. C. Turrer, L. C. Caperuto, F. F. Anhe, L. M. Ribeiro, A. C. Marcal, C. R. O. Carvalho, R. Curi, U. F. Machado, et al. Postpartum glycemic homeostasis in early lactating rats is accompanied by transient and specific increase of soleus insulin response through IRS2/AKT pathway Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, June 1, 2007; 292(6): R2225 - R2233. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-C. Pere and M. Etienne Insulin sensitivity during pregnancy, lactation, and postweaning in primiparous gilts J Anim Sci, January 1, 2007; 85(1): 101 - 110. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Champagne, D. S. Houser, and D. E. Crocker Glucose metabolism during lactation in a fasting animal, the northern elephant seal Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, October 1, 2006; 291(4): R1129 - R1137. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Maliqueo, T. Sir-Petermann, G. Salazar, F. Perez-Bravo, S.E. Recabarren, and L. Wildt Resumption of ovarian function during lactational amenorrhoea in breastfeeding women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: metabolic aspects Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2001; 16(8): 1598 - 1602. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]