# METABOLIC REGULATION OF FETAL GROWTH

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 1994 · $584,493

## Abstract

The focus of this Perinatal Emphasis Research Center is Metabolic
Regulation of Fetal Growth.  The purpose of this research focus is to
perform experiments in comparative reproductive and developmental
physiology and cell biology to determine causes of intrauterine fetal
growth retardation (IUGR) and metabolic consequences in the fetus.  Studies
will be conducted in animals (pregnant sheep and their fetuses) and
pregnant women.  These studies will address the following experimental aims
and hypotheses:  (I) in pregnant sheep, deprivation of glucose supply from
the mother to the fetus and fetal insulin deficiency result in IUGR,
placental and fetal metabolic adaptations that support placental and fetal
viability by decreasing fetal growth and reducing the drain on maternal
nutrients, and changes in fetal protein and energy metabolism that have
systemic, cellular, and molecular components that operate to maintain
energy metabolism at the expense of growth; (II) in pregnant sheep IUGR can
develop spontaneously secondary to measurable changes in placental blood
flow, structural growth, and function that produce sever fetal growth
retardation with unique metabolic disturbances; (III) in pregnant women,
pregnancies complicated by IUGR have measurable changes in amino acid
metabolism and transport by the placenta, and imbalances in the supply and
utilization of glucose, that can be defined using stable isotopic amino
acid and glucose tracers and glucose clamp experiments, and are direct
correlates of the mechanisms leading to IUGR in the two animal models.

The animal studies are supported by the UCHSC Perinatal Research Facility
which includes a hyperthermia chamber and the laboratory equipment and
staff to conduct all physiologic and biochemical measurements proposed.
There will be collaborative work also in special surgical procedures, cell
physiology and biochemistry techniques, and molecular chemistry procedures.
A specific addition to the Center, based on the successful models of IUGR,
is the inclusion of new investigators and collaborators with research, and
especially training capacities.  Clinical studies are conducted at the
University of Milano, Milano, Italy.  The Center is supported by an
Administrative Core that includes Internal and External Advisory Committees
and an annual Research Review Meeting, a newly organized to provide more
efficient and productive operation and new laboratory and statistical
scientific advances as well.

Understanding the causes and consequences of IUGR through the integration
of the basic and clinical research in this Center should lead to rational
preventive and therapeutic measures to diminish the incidence and severity
of IUGR and thus to improve fetal and neonatal survival and health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198080
- **Project number:** 5P50HD020761-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MW8JHK6ZYEX8
- **Principal Investigator:** William W Hay
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $584,493
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-30 → 1996-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198080

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198080, METABOLIC REGULATION OF FETAL GROWTH (5P50HD020761-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198080. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*