EFFECTS OF PREGNANCY AND PROGESTERONE AND-OR ESTRADIOL ON THE INSULIN-SECRETION AND PANCREATIC INSULIN CONTENT IN THE PERFUSED RAT PANCREAS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (1) , 47-56
Abstract
Progesterone [P] and estradiol [E2] treatment of ovariectomized rats was administered leading to plasma steroid concentrations comparable to those of the pregnant rat. In these experimental conditions E enhanced insulin secretion but P had little effect on B cell response to glucose (0.8 g/l and 1.4 g/l) of the perfused pancreas. At low glucose concentration (0.8 g/l) neither of the 2 steroids, added to the perfusion medium, had any effect on insulin release of the pancreas of the castrated animals; E exerted a facilitating action on glucose stimulation (1.4 g/l); P had no effect. During pregnancy biphasic insulin secretion was enhanced, but pancreatic hormonal content was only increased at term. Neither E nor P treatment changed pancreatic insulin content. Facts on insulin release at pancreatic level directly, whereas P influences insulin release by causing insulin resistance.