Maternal hyperphenylalaninemia: An experimental model in rats

Arnold Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experimental maternal hyperphenylalaninemia produced in pregnant F344 rats by the combined use of p‐Chloro‐DL‐phenylalanine and L‐phenylalanine reduced fetal birth weight in comparison to saline‐injected controls. Offspring who experienced hyperphenylalaninemia in utero died within 5 days after birth. Fetal plasma phenylalanine levels were several times higher than maternal plasma phenylalanine levels, indicating that the placenta actively concentrates maternal phenylalanine. Fetal brain phenylalanine levels rose in direct proportion to elevations in fetal plasma phenylanaline, whereas maternal brain phenylalanine levels remained low during maternal plasma phenylalanine elevation; the contrast suggests that the maternal brain is better able than the fetal brain to screen itself against high circulating plasma phenylalanine levels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopmental Psychobiology
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1976
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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