Serum alanine concentration was determined in nonpregnant and pregnant normal control
Swiss albino (SA) and genetically diabetic KK mice. The serum alanine levels were
significantly lower in nonpregnant KK than in nonpregnant SA mice. Fasting elicited
hypoglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and hypoalaninemia in both groups of pregnant mice.
Oral administration of alanine in nonpregnant and pregnant mice resulted in a significant
rise in blood sugar levels within 15 min in both groups. However, the initial blood
sugar respone to oral alanine was greater in pregnant than in nonpregnant mice. This
increase in blood sugar response to exogenous alanine appears to be mediated by glucagon.
The data suggest that pregnancy elicits hypoglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and hypoalaninemia
in both nondiabetic and diabetic mice.
Pregnancy - Alanine - Genetic Diabetes - Gluconeogenesis
