CHANGES IN INTESTINAL ALPHA-METHYL-D-GLUCOSIDE UPTAKE DUE TO PREGNANCY AND LACTATION IN RATS

Uptake of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, a nonmetabolizable glucose analogu e, by everted intestinal sleeves was studied in virgin, pregnant and l actating rats. The animals showed an increase in jejunal and ileal tis sue mass, mucosal mass, nominal surface area, and enzymatic activities . No changes were observed in the carrier affinity throughout the bree ding stages. Nevertheless there was a significant increase in glucose carrier density (V-max) per unit of length of jejunum and ileum in pre gnant and lactating animals. Integrating the results obtained, an incr eased overall ability to transport hexoses by nonspecific adaptation c an be observed in breeding stages.