Endocrine Abstracts

Deiodinase enzymes have an important role in thyroid hormone metabolism. Type I 5′-monodeiodinase (D1) converts thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), while type III 5-monodeiodinase (D3) inactivates T3 and produces reverse-T3 (rT3) from T4. In fetal sheep, plasma T3 rises towards term in association with the prepartum cortisol surge. This study investigated the effect of cortisol on tissue de...

Although leptin is important in the control of appetite and energy expenditure in adulthood, its actions before birth are unclear. This study investigated the effects of leptin on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and insulin signalling in fetal sheep. Twelve sheep fetuses were chronically-catheterised at 115–120 d of gestation (term 145±2 d), and infused intravenously with saline (0.9% NaCl; n=6) or recombinant ovine leptin (0.5–1.0 mg/kg/d; Protein Labora...