Metabolic Response to Fasting in Experimental Intrauterine Growth Retardation Induced by Surgical and Nonsurgical Maternal Stress

Abstract

Experimental intrauterine growth retardation was produced in two groups of neonatal rats by maternal sham surgery or by maternal obligatory exercise during the last 5 days of gestation (forced swim). Both experimental groups of neonates had lower plasma glucose and higher plasma insulin levels than controls after a 4-hour fast. Fetal stunting may be produced by a variety of maternal stresses in the rat and may be associated with alterations in the hormonal and glycemic response to fasting. Studies of the metabolic effects of experimental intrauterine growth retardation must be interpreted with caution if control animals have been subjected to intrauterine stress.