What is a key metabolic action of hPL on maternal physiology?

What is a key metabolic action of hPL on maternal physiology?

• A. It antagonizes insulin, promoting glucose availability for fetal growth
• B. It increases insulin sensitivity
• C. It decreases glucose production by liver
• D. It increases protein catabolism

Answer: (A)

The key metabolic action of human placental lactogen is to antagonize insulin, raising maternal glucose availability for fetal growth. This placental hormone makes maternal tissues more insulin resistant, so glucose uptake by muscle and fat decreases and blood glucose stays higher to nourish the fetus. At the same time, it promotes lipolysis, providing alternate fuel (free fatty acids) and helping spare glucose for fetal use. This is why the correct choice emphasizes reduced insulin action and increased glucose availability for the fetus. The other options don’t fit this primary effect: increasing insulin sensitivity would lower maternal glucose, not support fetal needs; decreasing glucose production by the liver would reduce circulating glucose; and increasing protein catabolism isn’t the main action driving maternal-fetal glucose transfer.

The key metabolic action of human placental lactogen is to antagonize insulin, raising maternal glucose availability for fetal growth. This placental hormone makes maternal tissues more insulin resistant, so glucose uptake by muscle and fat decreases and blood glucose stays higher to nourish the fetus. At the same time, it promotes lipolysis, providing alternate fuel (free fatty acids) and helping spare glucose for fetal use. This is why the correct choice emphasizes reduced insulin action and increased glucose availability for the fetus.

The other options don’t fit this primary effect: increasing insulin sensitivity would lower maternal glucose, not support fetal needs; decreasing glucose production by the liver would reduce circulating glucose; and increasing protein catabolism isn’t the main action driving maternal-fetal glucose transfer.