In vivo gluconeogenesis and hepatic glycogen content were evaluated in ovariectomized
rats following estradiol and human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) treatment. Gluconeogenesis
was significantly decreased in animals receiving estradiol. This occurred coincident
with hyperinsulinemia. In animals receiving HCS, insulin also was elevated, however
no inhibition of gluconeogenesis was observed in these animals. Combined treatment
with estradiol and HCS resulted in gluconeogenic inhibition which was comparable to
that obtained with estradiol treatment alone. This occurred in the face of elevations
in serum insulin approximately twice that observed with either HCS or estradiol treatment
alone. Hepatic glycogen content was increased in the estradiol treated animals and
was comparably elevated in the animals receiving both HCS and estradiol. These observations
suggest that HCS opposes the effects of insulin on hepatic metabolism.
HCS - Estradiol - Pregnancy - Gluconeogenesis - Insulin Resistance
