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Experimental maternal hyperphenylalaninemia: Biochemical effects and offspring development
Author(s) -
Copenhaver J. H.,
Carver M. J.,
Schalock R. L.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420070211
Subject(s) - hyperphenylalaninemia , phenylalanine , offspring , endocrinology , medicine , fetus , pregnancy , tryptophan , phenylalanine hydroxylase , chemistry , biology , amino acid , biochemistry , genetics
Abstract Subcutaneous injections of para ‐chloro‐D, L‐phenylalanine ( p Cl‐Phe) and phenylalanine (Phe) over the last third of pregnancy were found to produce hyperphenylalaninemic states in maternal and fetal rats. The p Cl‐Phe, when administered to maternal animals alone or in conjunction with Phe, was associated with maternal muricide. The muricide was counteracted by the administration of 5‐hydroxy‐D, L‐tryptophan prior to delivery. Prolonged treatment of maternal animals with p Cl‐Phe and Phe suppressed normal weight gain and resulted in smaller offspring. The elevated levels of maternal plasma Phe decreased with time, reflecting a lessening of p Cl‐Phe inhibition of maternal phenylalanine hydroxylase and normal Phe clearance. Fetal plasma Phe levels mirrored those of treated maternal animals. Similarly, fetal brain Phe reflected the increase in fetal plasma Phe.