Cortisone mediated decrease in fetal metabolism of glucose.

14C-Glucose was administered to pregnant mice with and without a teratogenic dose of cortisone. Cortisone decreased the transfer of glucose and its metabolites to the fetus and chorioallantoic placenta while increasing the disposition of these substances in maternal liver and muscle. This shift suggests that cortisone exerts its teratogenic action by depriving the fetus of an adequate supply of carbohydrate during its rapid growth and differentiation.