AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 246, Issue 1 25-E31, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Pregnancy-induced insulin resistance in the rat: assessment by glucose clamp technique

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

To quantify and characterize the insulin resistance during pregnancy in the rat, a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp was set up. Dose-response curves for the effects of five concentrations of insulin on glucose production, glucose utilization, and glucose clearance were performed in age-matched virgin and 19-day-pregnant rats. Glucose production and glucose utilization were measured by using [3-3H]-glucose. Glucose production was totally suppressed at plasma insulin concentrations higher than 1,000 microU/ml in the two groups. Insulin concentration causing half-maximal suppression of glucose production was about 70 microU/ml in virgin rats and 250 microU/ml in pregnant rats. Maximal glucose utilization was obtained at plasma insulin concentrations of 2,000 microU/ml. In pregnant rats maximal increment in glucose utilization was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than in virgin rats. Insulin concentrations causing half-maximal stimulation of glucose utilization were 200 microU/ml in virgin rats and 500 in pregnant rats. As blood glucose concentration in virgin and pregnant rats was clamped at, respectively, 0.97 +/- 0.03 and 0.73 +/- 0.03 mg/ml, glucose clearance rates were calculated because this parameter is minimally affected by the changes in blood glucose concentrations. A normal maximal increment in glucose clearance in response to insulin was restored in pregnant rats but the rightward shift of the dose-response curve was maintained. Plasma insulin concentrations necessary for half-maximal increment of glucose clearance in the two groups were similar to that observed when the results were expressed as glucose utilization. Thus, insulin resistance during late pregnancy in the rat is characterized by a decreased sensitivity of liver and peripheral tissues to insulin.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. C. Connolly, T. Papa, M. S. Smith, D. B. Lacy, P. E. Williams, and M. C. Moore Hepatic and muscle insulin action during late pregnancy in the dog Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2007; 292(1): R447 - R452. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. Miquet, A. I. Sotelo, A. Bartke, and D. Turyn Desensitization of the JAK2/STAT5 GH signaling pathway associated with increased CIS protein content in liver of pregnant mice Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, October 1, 2005; 289(4): E600 - E607. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. C. Connolly, L. N. Aglione, M. S. Smith, D. B. Lacy, and M. C. Moore Insulin action during late pregnancy in the conscious dog Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, June 1, 2004; 286(6): E909 - E915. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. C. Connolly, L. C. Holste, L. N. Aglione, D. W. Neal, D. B. Lacy, M. S. Smith, M. P. Diamond, A. D. Cherrington, and J.-L. Chiasson Alterations in basal glucose metabolism during late pregnancy in the conscious dog Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2000; 279(5): E1166 - E1177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]