Catecholamines Mediate Multiple Fetal Adaptations during Placental Insufficiency That Contribute to Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Lessons from Hyperthermic Sheep

Figure 5

Glucose production by the liver occurs in placental insufficiency-induced growth-restricted fetuses to maintain glucose supply to vital tissues. Stress hormones initiate transcriptional cofactors responsible for expression of gluconeogenic enzymes. Lactate from anaerobic metabolism and amino acids from protein breakdown are gluconeogenic substrates, while fatty acids from adipose breakdown are converted to ketone bodies, which provide energy to neural tissue.