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Protein Metabolism in Pregnancy

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Principles of Perinatal-Neonatal Metabolism

Abstract

Gestation in the human and in animals is associated with profound anatomical, physiological, and metabolic adaptation in the mother in order to support the needs of the growing conceptus. Although glucose is the primary source of energy for the fetus, protein accretion is an essential component for fetal growth and the synthesis of new fetal and maternal tissue. Study of protein and nitrogen metabolism has interested a number of investigators over the years. Using contemporary methods, investigators have attempted to examine alterations in protein metabolism throughout mammalian pregnancy, their efforts often leading to conflicting results. In this chapter we have attempted to discuss these data with particular focus on human pregnancy. Wherever important, conflicting results and methodological problems, as they relate to quantification of protein metabolism, have been emphasized.

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Authors
  1. Satish C. Kalhan
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  2. Barbara G. Assel
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Richard M. Cowett MD (Professor of Pediatrics) (Professor of Pediatrics)

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, 02905, USA

    Richard M. Cowett MD (Professor of Pediatrics) (Professor of Pediatrics)

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Kalhan, S.C., Assel, B.G. (1991). Protein Metabolism in Pregnancy. In: Cowett, R.M. (eds) Principles of Perinatal-Neonatal Metabolism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0400-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0400-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-0402-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-0400-5

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