Adaptations Of Metabolism Flashcards
Why is the maternal metabolism different
Fetus is supplied with all nutrients needed
Provided at appropriate rate at each stage
Achieved with minimal disturbance and maternal homeostasis
Fetus is buffered from any major disturbances
In pregnancy, what is the role of insulin
Controlls the change in maternal metabolism - it’s concentration increases as pregnancy progresses to promote the uptake and storage of nutrients
What is the role of fetal-placental hormones
Becomes increasingly more important, and has numerous effects that largely oppose actions of insulin - eg anti insulin
What are the metabolic changes in the first half of the pregnancy
Maternal nutrient homeostasis happen in the first 20 weeks and are prepping for the rapid increase of nutrients needed in third trimester, birth and lactation
Increasing levels of insulin promote anabolic state for increased storage
What are the metabolic changes during the second half of pregnancy
Marked increase of the placenta and fetus
Maternal metabolism adapts to meet increased demand for nutrients by the fetal-placental unit, this is achieved by
- reducing maternal use of utilisation of glucose
- delaying maternal disposal of nutrient ps after meals
- releasing fatty acids from stores from first half
All controlled by insulin:anti insulin.
- maternal insulin levels increase, fetal increases faster, ratio falls producing required metabolic changes
What is the typical net weight gain of pregnancy
8kg - 3kg fetus / maternal food store
Maternal ketogenesis
The marked decrease in insulin:anti-insulin during second half has effect on maternal ketogenesis
- the increases availability of fatty acids to the liver resulting from mobilisation of maternal adipose coupled with the fall in ration switches on the production ketone bodies by the maternal liver - these are. Used as fuel for the fotel brain
