Experiments on infarct genesis caused by blockage of carbohydrate metabolism in guinea pig placentae.

The poisoning of pregnant guinea pigs with monoiodineacetate, an inhibitor of carbohydrate metabolism in the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase phase, leads within a few minutes to the formation of syncytial plasma protrusions in the maternal blood lacunae of the placenta. These protusions cause a primary white infarct where the degenerative process takes place--in the interlobium. An accumulation of erythrocytes originates in its arterial inflow area owing to the obstruction of the blood flow. Both primary infarct and accumulation of erythrocytes alter to form a single homogenous white infarct within a few days, together with the degenerative products of all cellular and syncytial elements. Timely substitution of glycolysis for pyruvate, i.e. within 20 min, during continued blockage of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, prevents the formation of an infarct.