Plasma Insulin in Normal Late Pregnancy

Abstract

DESPITE a voluminous amount of research directed at elucidating the mechanisms of human carbohydrate metabolism many unexplored areas remain, especially in the pregnant state. Many studies have made reference to the altered carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy based upon changes in the oral glucose tolerance tests. Studies using intravenous glucose tolerance tests have shown normal curves during pregnancy and in fact suggest that more insulin may be released by the pancreas during the pregnant state.¹ This is supported by pathological study of the pancreases of pregnant women that shows an increase in the size and number of the islands of Langerhans. . . .