[Maternal glucose tolerance along pregnancy (author's transl)].

The development of the foetal and placental unit induces large changes in maternal glucose tolerance along pregnancy. Oestrogen-induced hyperinsulinism is responsible for facilitated anabolism which take place during the first part of pregnancy. Accelerated catabolism occurring during the second part is due to the direct action of placental hormones, mainly of human placental lactogen. The latter is responsible for diminution of peripheral insulin activity. Hyperinsulinism, which is very important at this stage, facilitates an intense and rapid anabolism, mainly in the liver from where nutriments can be easily removed. Glucose and amino-acid uptake by placental and foetus are greatly increased by all these changes.