Abstract
Glycogen content of adipose tissue in the human neonate falls rapidly in the first hours of life. Since little or no glucose-6-phosphatase is found in fat tissue (rats), presumably glycogen is utilized only in situ, both to support energy metabolism (ATP generation) and to furnish alpha-glycerophosphate for reesterification of fatty acids. Previous investigations showed increased lipolysis (glycerol release) in adipose tissue from offspring of diabetic mothers. In this study glycogen content (mg/gm w.w.) was measured in adipose tissue samples from the subcutaneous fat pad of the buttocks in 30 infants of insulin dependent diabetic mothers (IDM) and in 34 infants of gestational diabetic mothers (IGDM) obtained during the first five days of life. Comparisons were made with 86 infants from normal gestations. Glycogen content was significantly increased in fat tissue from both IDM and IGDM. The rapid rate of decrease seen in normal infants was not observed regardless of whether these infants were infused with glucose or not. Electron microscopic studies suggested a characteristic ultrastructure of adipose tissue glycogen deposits when increased amounts of glycogen are present. These results are consistent with the hyperinsulinism of IDM and IGDM.
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