Teratogenetic maternofoetal transmission and prevention of diabetes susceptibility.

Gestational diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy were found to be important teratogenetic risk factors for the development of diabetes in the offspring. Mechanisms of action and prevention of maternofetal transmission of teratogenetic susceptibility to diabetes are presented. Gestational diabetes induced in the F0 generation produced the following effects in the F1 and/or F2 generation: Early postnatal hyperinsulinaemia, decreased noradrenaline and serotonin and increased endorphin concentrations in specific brain regions, permanent hypoplasia of the hypothalamic ventromedial nuclei, decreased insulin responsiveness to glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and increased diabetes susceptibility.