Effects of exogenous glucagon on concentrations of glucose, fructose and insulin in plasma of sheep fetus.

Exogenous glucagon infused into the fetal sheep resulted in an increase in the concentration of glucose and insulin in fetal arterial plasma without a significant change in the concentration of fructose. Lack of any significant changes in glucagon, insulin, glucose and fructose concentrations in maternal plasma suggests that the alterations in the fetus are secondary to fetal metabolic and hormonal mechanisms rather than reflecting effects of maternal metabolism.