Abstract
This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of maternal diabetes on foetal testicular structure and function and reproductive hormone levels. Sixteen adult female rats were divided in two groups. Diabetes was induced in one group by alloxan. Both groups became pregnant by natural mating. Blood was collected from 60-day-old male offspring from both groups and the level of testosterone, FSH and LH measured in their serum. At the same time, the weight and volume of testes and various histological parameters from testicular histological sections were determined. Results showed significant decrease in LH, FSH and testosterone in sera of offspring from diabetic mothers (ODM) compared with the control group. Body weight and weight and volume of testes from ODM were about 25.5%, 51.6% and 50.8% higher respectively than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Number of seminiferous tubules increased (+15%) significantly (P < 0.05), whilst thickness of testicular capsule (−16%), number of Leydig cells (−14%), number of Sertoli cells (−10%), number of spermatogonia (−38%) and diameter of seminiferous tubules (−17%) showed significantly reduced values in the ODM compared to controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal hyperglycaemia has deleterious effects on testicular parameters during foetal life which will affect reproductive endocrinology during puberty and may impact on fertility.
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Jelodar, G., Khaksar, Z. & Pourahmadi, M. Endocrine profile and testicular histomorphometry at puberty in rat offspring from diabetic mothers. Comp Clin Pathol 19, 135–139 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-009-0842-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-009-0842-7