Electrolytes in pregnancy
During pregnancy, there are characteristic changes that occur in electrolytes. The most obvious difference is that during pregnancy, all nutrition is provided via the placenta, but after parturition, nutrition is provided mostly by mother’s milk. The two fluids differ significantly in their electrolyte composition. There has been no explanation for the endocrine mechanism that controls the process.
Ionotropin is a phosphocholine ester of an endogenous spiral steroid lactone. It shares structural features with cardiotonic steroids (digoxin, ouabain) and potassium sparing diuretics (Spironolactone). similar to spironolactone and it seems to function as a potassium sparing hormone, just like
This paper describes the biochemistry of Ionotropin during pregnancy. The paper has two parts: [1] the biochemistry of potassium and [2] the biochemistry of sodium. In brief, during the 3rd trimester, potassium must be accumulated in the fetal tissues and sodium ions must be delivered to the amniotic fluid. After parturition, when milk-based nutrition begins, the need to conserve potassium ends and the need to prevent sodium wasting begins. Changes in Ionotropin levels may be responsible for both processes. I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.