Simultaneous measurements of lactate turnover rate and umbilical lactate uptake in the fetal lamb

J. W. Sparks, W. W. Hay, D. Bonds, G. Meschia, F. C. Battaglia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lactic acid represent a major exogenous nutrient for the developing fetal lamb in utero. Our study was undertaken (a) to quantitate the net consumption of lactate by the fetus, (b) to quantitate the net lactate production and metabolism by the placenta, and (c) to compare the net fetal lactate consumption with fetal lactate use, measured simultaneously with radioactive tracers. 14 pregnant sheep were prepared with catheters in the maternal femoral artery and uterine vein and in the fetal aorta and umbilical vein. By simultaneous application of the Fick principle to the uterine and umbilical circulations, placental glucose consumption and placental lactate production were rapid, averaging 39.8 ± 5.1 and 11.8 ± 0.7 mg·min-1. Net lactate umbilical uptake averaged 1.95 ± 0.16 mg-1·min-1. During infusion of L-[14C(U)]lactate, fetal lactate turnover was much more rapid, averaging 6.5 ± 0.8 mg·kg-1·min-1, and lactate utilization within the anatomic fetus was 5.9 ± 0.7 mg·kg-1·min-1. During infusion of tracer glucose, endogenous fetal lactate production from glucose and nonglucose substrates averaged 3.0 and 1.5 mg·kg-1, respectively. The present studies have quantitated under well oxygenated, steady-state conditions, the rapid placental metabolism and production of lactate, the net fetal consumption of lactate, and the rapid endogenous fetal lactate production from glucose and nonglucose substrates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)179-192
Number of pages14
JournalUnknown Journal
Volume70
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Simultaneous measurements of lactate turnover rate and umbilical lactate uptake in the fetal lamb'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this