INFLUENCE OF LATE GESTATION AND EARLY PUERPERIUM ON LIPID AND CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN NORMAL FEMALES

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 20 normal females various parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were determined 4 weeks before and 3 and 7 days after delivery. Compared with normal values, in late pregnancy the blood levels of pyruvate, lactate, total lipids, glycerid-glycerol, total glycerol, and free fatty acids were found significantly higher. In puerperium all parameters returned to normal values with the exception of total lipids and free fatty acids which were still elevated at the end of the observation period. Glucose was found in normal range during pregnancy and on the 7th day of puerperium, but on the 3rd day after delivery a significant decrease was observed. The data of this investigation were compared with the results obtained under oral contraceptive treatment. In principal there is a good agreement between the results found during late pregnancy and data obtained under oral contraceptive treatment, the alteration in pregnancy being, however, more marked.