Effect of obesity on rat reproduction and on the development of their adult offspring

The aim of the present study was to assess the reproductive parameters of obese Wistar rats and to determine the frequency of their obese adult offspring. Neonatal rats were divided into two groups: F1 generation, induced to obesity by monosodium glutamate (MSG; F1MSG, N = 30), and rats given saline (F1CON, N = 13). At 90 days of age all animals were mated, producing the F2 offspring (F2CON, N = 28; F2MSG, N = 15). Reproductive parameters (fertility, pregnancy, and delivery indexes) were evaluated in F1 rats. F2 newborns were weighed, and the obesity parameter for F1 and F2 generations was determined from months 5 to 7 of life. At month 7, periovarian fat was weighed and no differences were found. Mean newborn weight also did not differ. The F1 and F2MSG groups presented approximately 90 percent of obese rats since month 5 of life, whereas F1 and F2CON groups presented only 33 percent. There was no difference in periovarian weight among groups. Although obesity did not affect reproductive parameters, obese dams (F1MSG) were responsible for the appearance of obesity in the subsequent generation. Thus, obesity induced by neonatal MSG administration did not interfere with reproduction, but did provide a viable model for obesity in second-generation adult Wistar rats. This model might contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in transgenerational obesity.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba on the reproductive outcome and oxidative stress biomarkers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba treatment (EGb 761, 200 mg kg-1 day-1) administered from day 0 to 20 of pregnancy on maternal reproductive performance and on the maternal and fetal liver antioxidant systems of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. On day 21 of pregnancy, the adult rats (weighing approximately 250 ± 50 g, minimum number = 13/group) were anesthetized to obtain maternal and fetal liver samples for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total glutathione (GSH-t) determinations. The uterus was weighed with its contents. The diabetic (G3) and treated diabetic (G4) groups of rats presented significant maternal hyperglycemia, reduced term pregnancy rate, impaired maternal reproductive outcome and fetal-placental development, decreased GSH-Px (G3 = G4 = 0.6 ± 0.2) and SOD (G3 = 223.0 ± 84.7; G4 = 146.1 ± 40.8), and decreased fetal CAT activity (G3 = 22.4 ± 10.6; G4 = 34.4 ± 14.1) and GSH-t (G3 = G4 = 0.3 ± 0.2), compared to the non-diabetic groups (G1, untreated control; G2, treated). For G1, maternal GSH-Px = 0.9 ± 0.2 and SOD = 274.1 ± 80.3; fetal CAT = 92.6 ± 82.7 and GSH-t = 0.6 ± 0.5. For G2, G. biloba treatment caused no toxicity and did not modify maternal or fetal-placental data. EGb 761 at the nontoxic dose used (200 mg kg-1 day-1), failed to modify the diabetes-associated increase in maternal glycemia, decrease in pregnancy rate, decrease in antioxidant enzymes, and impaired fetal development when the rats were treated throughout pregnancy (21 days).

Diabetes and experimental pregnancy in rats: course of maternal blood glucose levels and its repercussions on the blood glucose levels and pancreas of newborn pups

The objective of the present investigation was to determine the course of maternal blood glucose levels in pregnant rats and its repercussions on the glucose levels an pancreas of their newborn pups. Diabetes was induced by alloxan (42mg/Kg body weight) and steptozotocin (40mg/Kg). Sixty-two pregnant Wistar rats weighing 180 to 250 g were divided into a control group and two groups with moderate (120 to 200 mg/dl glucose) and severe diabetes (greater than 200 mg/dl glucose), respectively. Blood glucose levels were measured in the dams on the 1st, 14th, and 21st days of pregnancy and in the pups at birth. The results were pooled for each litter. The fetal pancrases were removed after cesarian section performed on the 21st day of pregnancy, pooled for each litter and processed for histopathologic examination by light microscopy. Maternal blood glucose levels were significantly increased compared with the first day of pregnancy in both normal and diabetic ratsd starting on the 14 th day of pregnancy. Fetal blood glucose levels correlated with maternal levels. The histopathologic changes characterized by vacuolization and basophilia of the cytoplasm of endocrine pancreas of newborn pups from dams with moderate or severe diabetes suggested pancreatic hyperactivity

The oral glucose tolerance test is a poor predictor of hyperglycemia during pregnancy

1. In the order to assess the efficacy of the use of the diurnal plasma glucose profile rather than that of the glucose tolerance tes (GTT) to predict hyperglycemia during pregnancy, we compared the results of the two tests. A total of 192 pregnant women seen at the Prenatal Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu were submitted to the glucose tolerance test (GTT) and determination of diurnal plasma glucose profile. 2. On the basis of two blood tests (GTT) and diurnal plasma glucose profile). the subjects were divided into four groups: Group I-A, normal GTT and profile (79 patients, 41.2%); Group I-B, normal GTT and altered profile (63 patients, 32.8%); Group II-A, altered GTT and normal profile (18 patients, 9.4%) Group II-B, altered Gtt and profile (32 patients, 16,7%). 3. Large babies were delivered by 25.6% of Group I-A, 53.8% of GroupI-B28.6% of Group II-A and 51.9% of Group II-B patients. Group I-A patients are normoglycemic, Group I-B patients have intolerance to carbohydrates, protein and lipides, Group II-A patients have intolerance to high carbohydrate amounts, especially in the form of glucose, and Group II-B patients are diabetic. 4. We propose that Group I-A patients should receive no treatment, Group II-A patients should be adivised to avoid excess carbohydrate intake and Groups I-B and II-B patients should be places on a low-calorie diet and treated with insulin if necessary to obtain normal blood glucose levels. 5. Routine determination of blod glucose levels under fasting conditions represents a screening method for diabetes and values of > ou = 90 mg/dl identify a population at risk that should be submitted to GTT and determination of plasma glucose profile