Question

ImagineyouimpairthereleaseofhPLinawomanwhilesheisduringpregnant.

a. Howwouldhersensitivitytoinsulinbeaffected?Explainwhy.

b. Howwouldglucoselevelsinherbloodafteramealbeaffectrelativetopregnant

women with normal hPL levels? Explain why.

c. How would the growth of her child likely be affected? Explain why.

Answer 1

Human protein lactogen(HPL) is present in serum of pregnant ladies at 6th week of pregnancy. It helps in the growth of placenta. t is similar to the pituitary growth hormone.

a) If the release of hpl is impaired the insulin sensitivity will be increased and thus the glucose level in the maternal tissue reduces and thus the fetus starve from glucose deficiency and inhibit proper fetal growth.

b) Normal ladies with pregnancy after the meal increases the glucose level within the blood which helps the fetus to grow with the mother's glucose. The hpl hormone is insulin antagonist. Hpl will increase the resistance towards insulin. So that the glucose uptake into the tissues will be inhibited and so the glucose level will rise in the maternal blood. So if it is released the insulin sensitivity increases and thus the glucose uptake from blood to tissue occurs in the maternal body and so fetal gets deprived of glucose for its growth.

C)lack of hPL badly affects fetal tissue metabolism, especially a glycogen synthesis in the liver will be inhibited. No free fatty acids would be available as source of glucose and energy requirement in fetus that could impair its growth.  severe growth retardation of the fetus and low grade preeclampsia ( high blood pressure, with fluid retention and proteinuria) also is resulted.