This study was conducted to evaluate the changing concentrations of metabolic hormones and metabolites in pregnant (P) and pseudopregnant (PP) rabbit does. Twenty-five New Zealand White rabbit does were submitted to artificial insemination (AI) and then classified as P (n = 15) or PP (n = 10). Blood samples were collected weekly until day 32 post AI. During pregnancy, leptin concentrations were greater on Days 14 and 21 (P < 0.05), while insulin was greater on days 21 and 32 post AI (P < 0.05) compared to PP does. The triiodothyronine/thyroxine (T3/T4) ratio was greater in the first and last week (P < 0.001); whereas, cortisol concentrations were greater in the last week of pregnancy and after parturition (P < 0.01) compared with that of PP does. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations increased from day 7 until day 32 post AI (P < 0.05). Glucose concentrations were unchanged throughout pregnancy although concentrations were positively associated with litter size. These results indicate concentrations of hormones and metabolites change during pregnancy to ensure energy requirements are met for both the foetuses and the maternal tissues. Physiological hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, and changes in cortisol as well as thyroid hormones indicate there is an adaptation of metabolic functions induced by pregnancy. These adaptations could be mediated by gonadal steroids because changes mainly occur in the second half of pregnancy when the profile of the sex hormones differs between P and PP does.

进行这项研究以评估怀孕（P）和假怀孕（PP）兔体内代谢激素和代谢产物的浓度变化。二十五只新西兰白兔确实接受了人工授精（AI），然后分为P（n = 15）或PP（n = 10）。每周收集血样，直到AI后第32天。在怀孕期间，与PP相比，在AI后第14天和第21天，瘦素浓度更高（P < 0.05），而在AI后第21天和第32天，胰岛素更高（P < 0.05）。在第一周和最后一周三碘甲状腺素/甲状腺素（T3 / T4）比值更高（P < 0.001）；而在妊娠的最后一周和分娩后，皮质醇的浓度较高（P < 0.01）与PP相比。AI后第7天到第32天，非酯化脂肪酸（NEFA）浓度增加（P <0.05）。葡萄糖浓度在整个怀孕期间没有变化，尽管其浓度与产仔数呈正相关。这些结果表明，怀孕期间激素和代谢产物的浓度发生变化，以确保胎儿和母体组织均满足能量需求。生理性高瘦素血症，高胰岛素血症以及皮质醇和甲状腺激素的变化表明，妊娠引起的代谢功能有适应性。这些改变可能是由性腺类固醇介导的，因为这种变化主要发生在妊娠的下半年，这时P和PP的性激素特征有所不同。