The Extractable Insulin Content of Pancreas from Fetuses and Infants of Diabetic and Control Mothers

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Abstract
The acid ethanol extractable insulin content of pancreases from 37 infants and 3 early fetuses of diabetic and control mothers has been measured and their islet cell histology was studied. In general there was good agreement between these 2 parameters. Pancreatic insulin could be detected in 1 of 2 twelve-week old fetuses examined and in the pancreas of a 14-week old fetus of a diabetic mother. The remaining 37 pancreases were obtained from fetuses of gestational age 20 weeks to term, 9 of whom were offspring of diabetic mothers. The latter contained more insulin than the corresponding control group. The possible mechanisms are discussed; the hyperglycemic hypothesis is favored.

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