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Maternal hyperphenylalaninemia: An experimental model in rats
Author(s) -
Andersen Arnold
Publication year - 1976
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.420090208
Subject(s) - hyperphenylalaninemia , phenylalanine , offspring , placenta , endocrinology , medicine , fetus , in utero , pregnancy , chemistry , biology , amino acid , biochemistry , genetics
Abstract Experimental maternal hyperphenylalaninemia produced in pregnant F344 rats by the combined use of p‐Chloro‐DL‐phenylalanine and L‐phenylalanine reduced fetal birth weight in comparison to saline‐injected controls. Offspring who experienced hyperphenylalaninemia in utero died within 5 days after birth. Fetal plasma phenylalanine levels were several times higher than maternal plasma phenylalanine levels, indicating that the placenta actively concentrates maternal phenylalanine. Fetal brain phenylalanine levels rose in direct proportion to elevations in fetal plasma phenylanaline, whereas maternal brain phenylalanine levels remained low during maternal plasma phenylalanine elevation; the contrast suggests that the maternal brain is better able than the fetal brain to screen itself against high circulating plasma phenylalanine levels.