Acetate as a metabolic substrate in the fetal lamb
Char, V.C.; Creasy, R.K.
American Journal of Physiology 230(2): 357-361
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9513 PMID: 1259013 Document Number: 102198
Acetate metabolism was studied in chronically catheterized foetal lambs of 100-141 days' gestation. Acetate concentration was measured enzymically in whole blood drawn simultaneously from maternal and foetal pre- and postplacental vessels. The oxygen content of the foetal blood samples was measured. Umbilical venous acetate concentration was proportional to the maternal arterial acetate concentration and had a mean value of 0.366 mmol/litre. Foetal blood acetate increased significantly, by a mean of 0.081 mmol/litre, during circulation through the placenta. This increase was proportional to both the maternal acetate concentration and the concentration gradient of acetate across the placenta. The mean maternal arterial acetate concentration was 1.153 mmol/litre. Maternal blood lost significant amounts of acetate, 0.112 mmol/litre, during circulation through the uterus and appeared to be the source of the acetate gained by the foetus. It was estimated that acetate 23 mmol/kg of foetal weight was being taken up by the foetus each day, providing it with C 0.560 g/kg. Comparisons of acetate uptake with foetal oxygen uptake indicated 10% of the daily foetal oxygen consumption would be required to oxidize the acetate being gained by the foetus.