Why do mouse beta cells produce serotonin during pregnancy? KU Leuven
Pancreatic beta cells are unique in that only they can release insulin, a crucial hormone for blood glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, the rate of insulin release is tightly regulated to the metabolic need. Failure of this regulation, either by destruction of beta cells or insufficient insulin release, causes diabetes. During pregnancy beta cells undergo several changes to adapt to the higher insulin demands of the mother, which support the ...