Abstract
Fetal macrosomia in human diabetic pregnancy has long been recognized. However, an animal model suitable for studying fetal macrosomia and other fetal anomalies in diabetic pregnancy has been lacking. In the present study the visually recognizable macrosomic fetus was compared with its normal weight litter mates obtained on the 19.5 day of gestation from mildly diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. The mean body weights of macrosomic fetuses and the normal litter mates were 4.72 ± 0.45 g (mean ± SE) and 2.76 ± 0.18 g, respectively. The rate of [ 3H]AIB influx from the maternal to fetal side for the macrosomic fetuses was approximately 50 times greater than the corresponding rate for the normal litter mates. The visual identification of macrosomia is thus verified by two different parameters (e.g., body weight and rate of metabolite influx). These results provide a rationale for comparing macrosomic fetuses with their litter mates for studying pathogenesis of macrosomia in diabetic pregnancies in an animal system. This model mimics the human fetal macrosomia more closely than those reported heretofore.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
