A Study of the Effect of Maternal Obesity on the Structure and Function of Pancreatic Islets in Newborn Rats

Abstract

Obesity is a global problem with high risks of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. The current study aimed to clarify effects of maternal obesity on the functional and structural integrity of pancreatic islets in newborn rats. Pancreatic specimens were obtained from 1-day-old newborn rats of obese and non-obese mothers. After processing, sections were stained with anti-insulin antibodies. A morphometry was performed on pancreatic islets. Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured in newborns of obese and non-obese mothers. The immunohistological structure of newborn pancreatic islets of obese mothers was normal and didn't differ from that of controls. Volume density, percentage of B cells per total islet cells and diameter of newborn pancreatic islets of obese mothers didn't vary significantly from that of controls. Blood glucose level of newborns of obese mothers was not significantly different from that of controls. The serum insulin of newborns of obese mothers was significantly higher than that of the controls. Maternal obesity didn't affect volume density of B cells, percentage of B cells per total islet cells, diameter of pancreatic islets and blood glucose level of rat newborns. However, obesity during pregnancy resulted in an increase of serum insulin of rat newborns.