Download PDF
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1985; 86(6): 305-309
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210502
Original

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Dexamethasone on Glycogen Deposition in Pregnant Rats and Their Fetuses1)

R. Klepac
  • Institute of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb/Yugoslavia
1) This research was supported by the Self-Managed Community of Interest for Science of S R Croatia, Yugoslavia.
Further Information

Publication History

1985

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download Buy Article Permissions and Reprints
Zoom Image

Summary

Glycogen deposition was determined in pregnant rats and their fetuses twenty four hrs after maternal treatment with dexamethasone in the final days of pregnancy. Dexamethasone increases glycogen accumulation in the fetal liver, heart, adrenal glands and thymus. Simultaneously, it increases the glycogen concentration in maternal liver. In this study, dexamethasone did not change the glycogen level in the fetal kidneys, brain, placenta, lung and maternal adrenal glands. These results show that dexamethasone accelerated glycogen deposition in some fetal tissues. It is possible that dexamethasone activated enzymes of glycogen synthesis or potentiated the action of fetal corti-costerone on induction of glycogen accumulation in fetal rat tissues.

Key Words

Dexamethasone - Glycogen deposition - Fetal tissues