Influence of alloxan-diabetes in pregnant sows on body composition, glucose tolerance and insulin reaction of newborn piglets

Abstract

Diabetes was induced in 3 pregnant sows by administration of alloxan tetrahydrate (50 mg/kg body weight) at the 60th-70th day of gestation. Body weight, concentration of glycogen in liver, heart and skeletal muscle, weight of liver, heart, pancreas, thyroid gland and adrenal glands as well as plasma concentrations of glucose, fructose and insulin (IRI) were determined immediately after birth in the piglets of diabetic sows (4 litters). Furthermore, the plasma glucose and insulin reactions to and intravenous bolus injection of glucose (0.5 g/kg) were examined 4-8 hours and 6-7 days after birth. The results were compared with the values obtained from the offspring of 4 normal litters. Newborn piglets of diabetic sows showed a significantly increased absolute and relative weight of liver as well as a significant increase in the relative weight of heart, thyroid gland and pancreas. The concentration of glycogen in heart and skeletal muscle as well as the amount of glycogen in liver/kg body weight were significantly elevated. Furthermore, we found significantly higher plasma glucose values in the offspring of alloxan treated sows, while there were no differences in plasma insulin and fructose levels. When compared to normal piglets, the diabetic piglets displayed an impaired insulin response and glucose tolerance after a bolus injection of glucose. The results obtained suggest considerable differences in the fetal development and pancreatic function during a diabetic pregnancy in different species.