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Liao, Shutan, Vickers, Mark H., Stanley, Joanna L., Ponnampalam, Anna P., Baker, Philip N. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4592-6427 and Perry, Jo K.
(2016)
The placental variant of human growth hormone reduces maternal insulin sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner in C57BL/6J mice.
Endocrinology, 157 (3).
pp. 1175-1186.
ISSN 0013-7227
Abstract
The human placental GH variant (GH-V) is secreted continuously from the syncytiotrophoblast layer of the placenta during pregnancy and is thought to play a key role in the maternal adaptation to pregnancy. Maternal GH-V concentrations are closely related to fetal growth in humans. GH-V has also been proposed as a potential candidate to mediate insulin resistance observed later in pregnancy. To determine the effect of maternal GH-V administration on maternal and fetal growth and metabolic outcomes during pregnancy, we examined the dose-response relationship for GH-V administration in a mouse model of normal pregnancy. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were randomized to receive vehicle or GH-V (0.25, 1, 2, or 5 mg/kg · d) by osmotic pump from gestational days 12.5 to 18.5. Fetal linear growth was slightly reduced in the 5 mg/kg dose compared with vehicle and the 0.25 mg/kg groups, respectively, whereas placental weight was not affected. GH-V treatment did not affect maternal body weights or food intake. However, treatment with 5 mg/kg · d significantly increased maternal fasting plasma insulin concentrations with impaired insulin sensitivity observed at day 18.5 as assessed by homeostasis model assessment. At 5 mg/kg · d, there was also an increase in maternal hepatic GH receptor/binding protein (Ghr/Ghbp) and IGF binding protein 3 (Igfbp3) mRNA levels, but GH-V did not alter maternal plasma IGF-1 concentrations or hepatic Igf-1 mRNA expression. Our findings suggest that at higher doses, GH-V treatment can cause hyperinsulinemia and is a likely mediator of the insulin resistance associated with late pregnancy.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Publisher Copyright: © Copyright 2016 by the Endocrine Society. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | endocrinology ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1310 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Feb 2026 15:30 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jun 2026 20:54 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102107 |
| DOI: | 10.1210/en.2015-1718 |
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