Pancreatic beta cell function in offspring of conjugal diabetic parents. Assessment by IRI and C-peptide ratio.

Serum C-peptide and insulin responses to oral glucose load were measured in 69 offspring of conjugal diabetic parents (OCDP). The insulin responses were varied. The non obese OCDP showed higher mean insulin levels than non obese controls while the obese OCDP did not have significant differences in the mean insulin responses compared to obese controls. The C-peptide levels were, however, low in both obese and non-obese OCDP. The IRI/CP ratios were elevated in both groups of OCDP. These results suggest that OCDP have low beta cell function and also possibly a change in the metabolism of insulin at the hepatic level, which is more pronounced in non obese OCDP.