Self-Assessment Questions

18. The protein hormones of pregnancy

• During pregnancy, some women (often with risk factors for developing diabetes) develop transient diabetes that resolves after pregnancy. This condition is called "gestational diabetes." Hypothesize why this may occur.

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  Correct answer:
  The development of gestational diabetes is thought to be tied to changes in glucose regulation during pregnancy. Human placental lactogen levels are elevated in pregnancy and this hormone causes several changes in maternal glucose regulation: (i) increased insulin resistance, (ii) increased insulin secretion and (iii) impaired peripheral glucose uptake. These changes cause higher serum glucose levels which provide nutrition to the fetus, but may "unmask" diabetes in women who have risk factors for developing diabetes.