Interrelations of glucose, insulin and glucagon after overnight fast and in response to oral glucose during late pregnancy

Altered glucagon levels or IRI/IRG ratios cannot account for the accelerated starvation that is already manifest after an overnight fast in late pregnancy and do not appear to constitute one of the diabetogenic factors of gestation. Following glucose ingestion, plasma glucagon fell to a greater degree ante partum than post partum. It is suggested that this hypersuppressibility of circulating glucagon, which may be linked to the concomitant exaggerated hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinism, could facilitate anabolism in the fed state during late pregnancy.