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W W Hay

Publications and source records attributed to W W Hay.

118 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Simultaneous measurements of umbilical uptake, fetal utilization rate, and fetal turnover rate of glucose.

Fetal umbilical glucose uptake was compared with simultaneous measurements of glucose turnover and utilization rates in 12 pregnant sheep, at a mean of 137 days gestational age (range, 118-146 days). Umbilical glucose uptake was calculated by application of the Fick principle. Fetal glucose turnover rate was measured by a primed-constant infusion of [14C]- and [3H]glucose (glucose turnover rate = tracer infusion rate divided by fetal glucose sp act). The calculation of fetal glucose utilization rate required substraction of the loss of tracer to the placenta from the tracer infusion rate, thus defining the net tracer entry into the fetus for direct comparison with the net umbilical glucose uptake. In fed, normoglycemic sheep, these measurements demonstrated statistical equivalence of umbilical glucose uptake rate (4.77 mg.min-1.kg-1 +/- 0.34 SE) and glucose utilization rate ([14C]glucose, 5.58 mg.min-1.kg-1 +/- 0.54 SE; and [3H]glucose, 7.19 mg.min-1.kg-1 +/- 1.24 SE) when tested by two-way analysis of variance (P greater than 0.1). In three fasted, hypoglycemic sheep, the umbilical glucose uptake rate fell to 1.43 mg.min-1.kg-1 +/- 0.56 SE, which was considerably lower than the simultaneous glucose utilization rate ([14C]glucose, 4.78 mg.min-1.kg-1 +/- 0.48 SE; and [3H]glucose, 6.81 mg.min-1.kg-1 +/- 2.19 SE). Thus, in the normoglycemic, late-gestation fetal lamb, there appears to be little glucogenesis, whereas glucogenesis may become significant during fasting-induced fetal hypoglycemia.

Animals↗

Heparin clearance in the newborn.

Twenty-five preterm newborns were given bolus infusions of sodium heparin (100 units/kg) and plasma heparin levels were assayed at 5, 20, 40, 90, and 150 min. Eight normal adults received a 75 units/kg bolus of heparin and levels were assayed at 5, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min. In comparison with the adult data (mean adult plasma heparin half life (T1/2) = 63.3 min), the newborn infants demonstrated a significantly shorter plasma heparin half life (T1/2 = 35.5 min in group I, 33 to 36 wk gestation; 35.5 min in group II, 29 to 32 wk gestation; and 41.6 min in group III, 25 to 28 wk gestation), as demonstrated by a chromogenic heparin assay. The newborn groups, had a larger volume of distribution (Vd) of heparin which varied inversely with gestational age (Vd =36.6 ml/kg in the adults, 57.8 ml/kg in group I, 73.3 ml/kg in group II, and 81.0 ml/kg in group III babies. Heparin clearance (CI) was significantly greater in all newborn groups when compared with the adult (CIadult = 0.43 ml/kg/min; ClGrIII = 1.49 ml/kg/min). A one-stage clotting assay for heparin generated similar results, although infant plasma heparin levels were slightly higher by this assay. Before heparin administration, the mean antithrombin III antigen (AT-III Ag) of the babies was 26.5% of normal adult and was not furthur decreased 90 min after the heparin bolus.

Adult↗

Utilization of substrates by the ovine placenta in vivo.

The uptakes of oxygen, glucose, and amino acids by the pregnant uterus via the uterine circulation and by the fetus via the umbilical circulation have been measured in sheep during the last month of gestation. The umbilical uptakes of oxygen and glucose are approximately 55 and 28%, respectively, of the total uterine uptake. This discrepancy between uterine and umbilical uptakes is due primarily to a large utilization rate of oxygen and glucose by the placenta. Part of the placental utilization of glucose can be accounted for by placental lactate excretion into both maternal and fetal blood. In marked contrast to the pattern of glucose utilization, the comparison of uterine and umbilical amino acid uptakes shows that the bulk of the amino acids taken up by the pregnant uterus is transferred to the fetus. The placenta utilizes glutamate of fetal origin and produces ammonia, which is excreted primarily into the maternal circulation.

Amino Acids↗

The effect of maternal hypoaminoacidaemia on placental uptake and transport of amino acids in pregnant sheep.

We developed a model of maternal hyperglycaemia with secondary hyperinsulinaemia and hypoaminoacidaemia in pregnant sheep (H) to determine the effect of these conditions on uterine, uteroplacental and fetal amino-acid uptake rates and fetal amino-acid concentrations [AA]. Results were compared with normal pregnant ewes (C). Plasma glucose concentrations were greater in H versus C animals: 7.7+/-0.3 versus 3.9+/-0.1 mmol/l maternal, P< 0.005; 2.6+/-0.1 versus 1.1+/-0.1 mmol/l fetal, P< 0.005. Maternal insulin concentrations [I] were greater in the H group (132+/-30 H versus 31+/-5 C microU/ml, P< 0.005); fetal [I] were not different (15+/-2 H versus 16+/-2 C microU/mL). Maternal [AA] were lower in H than C groups except for SER (P=ns) and GLY (approx twofold higher, P< 0.01). Uterine, uteroplacental and fetal uptake rates of several AA, particularly the branch chain AA, were lower in H than C animals, producing lower total fetal nitrogen uptake rates (270+/-64 mg N/kg fetus/day H, 696+/-75 mg N/kg fetus/day C, P=0.001) and lower fetal plasma concentrations for the branch chain AA. Most fetal [AA], however, remained at control values, which could occur by relative increase in fetal amino-acid production and/or decrease in utilization, but not by increased uteroplacental transport rates.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of intravenous L-carnitine on growth parameters and fat metabolism during parenteral nutrition in neonates.

To determine whether intravenous carnitine can improve nutritional indices, neonates requiring parenteral nutrition were randomized into carnitine treatment (n = 23) and control (n = 20) groups. Observed plasma lipid indices, carnitine and nitrogen balances, and plasma carnitine concentrations were not different in the prestudy period. Under standardized, steady-state conditions, 0.5 g/kg Intralipid was administered intravenously over 2 hr prior to carnitine administration, after infants received 7 days of 50 mumol/kg/day, and after a second 7 days of 100 mumol/kg/day of continuous intravenous L-carnitine as part of parenteral nutrition. Triglyceride (TGY), free fatty acid (FFA), acetoacetate (AA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOB), and plasma carnitine concentrations were measured prior to and at 2, 4, and 6 hr after the initiation of the lipid bolus. Twenty-four-hour urine collections for nitrogen and carnitine balance were obtained on days 7 and 14. Neonates receiving carnitine had significantly greater concentrations of plasma carnitine on days 7 and 14 (p less than 0.001). Greater nitrogen (p less than 0.05) and carnitine (p less than 0.001) balances and weight gain (week 2, p less than 0.05) were found in the carnitine-supplemented group when compared with controls. On day 14, (BOB + AA)/FFA ratios were significantly higher (p less than 0.05), and peak TGY concentrations and 6-hr FFA concentrations were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in the treatment group. Carnitine supplementation was associated with modest increases in growth and nitrogen accretion possibly by enhancing the neonate's ability to utilize exogenous fat for energy.

Carnitine↗