Reproductive physiology, and physical and sexual development of female offspring born to diabetic dams

• Published in: Arquivos brasileiros de endocrinologia e metabologia 2012-03, Vol.56 (2), p.96-103
• Main Authors: Spadotto, Raquel, Damasceno, Débora Cristina, Godinho, Antonio Francisco, Amorim, Elaine Manoela Porto, Perobelli, Juliana Elaine, Kempinas, Wilma De Grava
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn - growth & development; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - chemically induced; Disease Models, Animal; ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM; Female; Fertility - drug effects; Lactation - drug effects; Male; Ovary - drug effects; Ovary - growth & development; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - physiopathology; Random Allocation; Rats; Reproduction - drug effects; Sexual Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Sexual Development - drug effects; Streptozocin
• ISSN: 0004-2730; 1677-9487; 1677-9487; 0004-2730
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302012000200002

The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and sexual development and reproductive physiology in female rat offspring that developed in hyperglycemia conditions in utero and during lactation. Maternal diabetes was induced in female rats by a single IV injection of streptozotocin before mating. Female offspring development was evaluated by means of the following parameters: physical development; age of vaginal opening and first estrus; weight and histological evaluation of uterus and ovaries; duration of the estrous cycle, sexual behavior, and fertility after natural mating. In the female offspring, maternal diabetes caused delays in initial physical development; diminution in ovary weight and number of follicles; and inferior reproductive performance compared with the control group. The exposure to hyperglycemia in uterus and during lactation caused delays in physical and sexual development, and affected the reproductive physiology of female rats negatively.