How fetal glucagon affects uterine blood flow and placental nutrient delivery
Fetal glucagon links fetal metabolism with uterine blood flow and placental nutrient transfer by inhibiting placental lactogen secretion
This work looks at whether a hormone from the fetus called glucagon reduces blood flow and the placenta's delivery of nutrients by blocking placental lactogen, which could slow fetal growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260179 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on how the baby's own hormones influence blood flow from the mother and the placenta's ability to send nutrients. The team manipulates fetal glucagon and placental lactogen in late‑gestation sheep and measures uterine blood flow, placental uptake of nutrients and oxygen, fetal blood amino acids and growth factors, and fetal weight. Prior experiments in sheep showed that raising fetal glucagon lowered uterine blood flow, reduced nutrient transfer and growth factor levels, and decreased fetal weight over nine days. The researchers aim to map the hormone interactions so future therapies could target them to help babies with growth problems in complicated pregnancies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people whose fetuses show slowed growth or signs of placental insufficiency (for example, fetal growth restriction or abnormal uterine blood flow) would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Non-pregnant individuals, pregnancies without placental or growth problems, or growth issues driven primarily by genetic/chromosomal abnormalities are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this work could point to new treatments that improve blood flow and nutrient delivery to help babies at risk of poor growth before birth.
How similar studies have performed: The investigators' prior animal work in pregnant sheep already showed that altering fetal glucagon and placental lactogen changes uterine blood flow and fetal growth, but translation to humans has not yet occurred.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rozance, Paul Joseph — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Rozance, Paul Joseph
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.