Progesterone regulates pregnancy and embryonic glucose metabolism
Progesterone play a pivotal role in reproductive functions and maintaining pregnancy; but its role in the interaction between mother and embryo is unclear.
The researchers demonstrate that high maternal progesterone during pregnancy supports efficient glucose supply to the developing embryo by increasing maternal insulin resistance via membrane progesterone receptor epsilon (mPRε).
The authors show that mPRε-deficient mothers exhibited metabolic dysfunction, whereas mPRε-deficient mothers with high-fat diet-induced obesity exhibited improved insulin sensitivity.
This study suggests the potential use of mPRε modulators for managing pregnancy related glycemic disorders such as gestational diabetes mellitus and for managing metabolic syndromes in offspring.
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)00204-9
