Abstract
We are utilizing a nonhuman primate model to elucidate the mechanisms of abnormal fetal lung development in pregnancies complicated by maternal hyperglycemia. Healthy adult female Macaca mulatta were made severely diabetic by infusion of the pancreatic B-cell toxin streptozotocin (STZ, 47.5 mg/kg). These animals have impaired reproductive function as evidenced by daily ratings of coloration of sexual skin and incidence of menstruation. Prior to receiving insulin therapy, diabetic animals (n=6) exhibited only 26% of the expected number of apparently ovulatory menstrual cycles (1 cycle/30 days, 321-408 days of observation/animal) compared to 89% for control animals (n=7, 114-304 days/animal; t= 5.17, p<.01). Diabetic animals receiving insulin therapy (n=6, 62-436 days/animal) also exhibited fewer than expected normal cycles compared to controls (51%, t=2.45, p<.05). Radioimmunoassay revealed serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in amenorrheal diabetic monkeys to be comparable to those seen in ovariectomized monkeys. Three of 4 control pregnancies were maintained into the third trimester, while 1 of 1 untreated diabetic and 2 of 4 treated diabetic pregnancies were maintained. Additional monkeys treated recently with a lower dose of STZ (30mg/kg) have exhibited milder glucose intolerance and less disruption of ovarian function. (Support: NIH HD11429 and RR00167 and JDF 79R263.)
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Kemnitz, J., Eisele, S., Engle, M. et al. 420 DISRUPTED OVARIAN FUNCTION IN RHESUS MONKEYS WITH EX-PERIMENTALLY INDUCED INSULIN INSUFFICIENCY. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 510 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00431
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00431