Abstract We aimed to evaluate how high-fat diet consumption can interfere with rat reproductive performance and fetal development. High-fat diet (HFD) was initiated in 30-day-old rats, distributed into two groups (n=7 animals/group): Rats receiving a standard diet and rats receiving HFD. At adulthood, the rats were mated, and on day 21 of pregnancy, the females were anesthetized, decapitated, and submitted to laparotomy to obtain visceral and periovarian adipose tissue. The uterine horns were exposed for analysis of maternal reproductive performance. The fetuses and placentas were weighed and analyzed. Pearson’s correlation test was used, and p<0.05 was considered significant. There was a significant positive correlation (HFD consumption x increased periovarian fat) and a negative correlation with the implantation, live fetus numbers and lower litter weight. Furthermore, the increased relative weight of periuterine fat was related to the lower number of live fetuses and litter weight. Regarding the fetal weight classification, there was a negative correlation between the relative weight of periovarian fat and the percentage of fetuses appropriate for gestational age and large for gestational age. Therefore, our findings show that HFD maternal intake negatively influenced on reproductive performance and fetal growth.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate DNA damage levels in pregnant rats undergoing a treadmill exercise program. Methods: Wistar Kyoto rats were allocated into two groups (n= 5 animals/group): non-exercise and exercise. The pregnant rats were underwent an exercise protocol on a treadmill throughout pregnancy. Exercise intensity was set at 50% of maximal capacity during maximal exercise testing performed before mating. Body weight, blood pressure and glucose levels, and triglyceride concentration were measured during pregnancy. At day 10 post-natal, the animals were euthanized and maternal blood samples were collected for DNA damage. Results: Blood pressure and glucose levels and biochemical measurements showed no significant differences. Increased DNA damage levels were found in exercise group compared to those of non-exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The exercise intensity protocol used in the study might have been exhaustive leading to maternal increased DNA damage levels, demonstrating the relevance of an adequate protocol of physical exercise.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the contamination index of metals and pesticides in pregnant women, and to relate this to perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective, exploratory study, developed from existing secondary data analyses at Level III maternity center. A total of 40 mothers with their newborns (NB), living in a rural area in Botucatu- Brazil and surrounding region. Blood samples from mothers and newborn were collected to determine the total contamination index for metals and pesticides. The concentrations of each metal and each pesticide were determined in blood samples of mothers and their newborns by Rudge's results. After obtaining these concentrations, the total contamination index in mother and NB was calculated, along with its correlation with clinical parameters of NB. RESULTS: There was no correlation (p> 0.05) between maternal contamination index with NB clinical parameters, and NB contamination index versus NB clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: The maternal contamination index of metals and pesticides was not related to perinatal outcomes, but it could be used as baseline parameter in future toxicological studies, regarding to long-term toxic characteristics as persistent organic pollutants, its long half-lives, bioacumulative, and expected to impose serious health effects on humans.

PURPOSE: To analyze the physiological and biochemical measurements before, during and after pregnancy of healthy rats. METHODS: Wistar adult females rats (n=8) were weighed and blood samples were obtained before, during and after pregnancy for biochemical determinations, chow intake, water consumption and milk production were evaluated. At day 10 postpartum, the rats were killed for weighing of organs and adipose tissues. RESULTS : The results showed increase in body weight, serum insulin and ingestion of water and chow. At day 17 pregnancy, presented normal values in the OGTT. At days 7, 14 and 20 of pregnancy, there was increase in triglyceride levels. At term pregnancy, there was weight gain due to fetal growth. In the postpartum period presented reduced blood glucose levels. The glycemic means were reduced during and after pregnancy compared to after pregnancy. The triglyceride concentrations were increased before and during pregnancy in relation to after pregnancy. The total cholesterol levels presented no changes. CONCLUSION: The use of experimental animals is suitable for evaluation of metabolic changes because the profile of answers found in this study was similar to human profile, showing the relevance of translational research to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and possible treatment for diseases.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the effect of exercise (swimming) on pregnancy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS: Thirty three pregnant female SHR were distributed into three groups (n=11 animals/group): SHR Control=non-exercised (sedentary); SHR Ex0 = exercised from day zero to day 20 of pregnancy; and SHR Ex7 = exercised from day 7 to 20 of pregnancy. Body weight and systolic blood pressure were indirectly measured during pregnancy. On gestational day 21, the rats were anaesthetized and uterine content was withdrawn for analysis of maternal reproductive outcome parameters and fetal development.RESULTS:The reduced blood pressure percentage was higher in SHR Ex0 and SHR Ex7 compared to SHR Control group. Weight gain was present in all pregnancy periods, but it was lower in SHR Ex7 than in SHR Control dams. The exercise increased the pre-implantation loss rate. The post-implantation loss rate was lower in SHR Ex0 group. SHR Ex7 group showed a significantly higher percentage of fetuses classified as small for gestational age as compared to others groups.CONCLUSION:The exercise contributed to lowering gestational blood pressure in SHR rats, but had a negative impact on the developing embryo.

A prevalência de incontinência urinária em gestantes diabéticas é significantemente elevada e persiste por até dois anos após o parto cesárea, podendo ser a sequela mais frequente da hiperglicemia gestacional comparada a outras complicações. Dessa forma, identificar os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da incontinência urinária em diabéticas é o principal objetivo na prevenção dessa condição tão comum. Pesquisas recentes apontam que não apenas o músculo uretral mas também a matriz extracelular uretral desempenham papel importante no mecanismo da continência urinária. Os trabalhos do nosso grupo de pesquisa evidenciaram que, em ratas, o diabetes durante a prenhez lesa a matriz extracelular e o músculo estriado uretral, o que pode explicar a alta prevalência de incontinência e disfunção do assoalho pélvico em mulheres com diabetes mellitus gestacional. O diabetes exerce efeito sobre a expressão, organização e alteração dos componentes da matriz extracelular em diversos órgãos, e a remodelação do tecido e a fibrose parecem ser uma consequência direta dele. Assim, a compreensão do impacto de fatores de risco modificáveis, como o diabetes, permitirá que, utilizando estratégias preventivas, reduzamos as taxas de incontinência urinária, bem como os custos de assistência à saúde, e melhoremos a qualidade de vida das mulheres, especialmente na gestação e no pós-parto.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence in diabetic pregnant women is significantly high two years after cesarean section. Incontinence can be the most common consequence of hyperglycemia compared to other complications. Thus, identifying the risk factors for the development of urinary incontinence in diabetes is the major aim in the prevention of this very common condition. Recent surveys have shown that not only muscle but also the urethral extracellular matrix play an important role in the mechanism of urinary continence. Translational work on rats by our research group showed that diabetes during pregnancy damages the extracellular matrix and urethral striated muscle, a fact that may explain the high prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes affects the expression, organization and change in extracellular matrix components in different organs, and tissue remodeling and fibrosis appear to be a direct consequence of it. Therefore, understanding the impact of modifiable risk factors, such as diabetes, which involves using preventive strategies, can reduce the rates of urinary incontinence and the health care costs, and improve the quality of life of women, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.

O diabetes materno constitui um ambiente desfavorável para o desenvolvimento embrionário e feto-placentário. É uma repercussão de importância na obstetrícia moderna, visto que está associado a um risco aumentado de morbidade materna e neonatal e continua a ser um desafio médico significativo. O aumento mundial na incidência do diabetes, o aumento do diabetes tipo 2 em mulheres em idade reprodutiva e a geração cruzada da programação intrauterina do diabetes tipo 2 são as bases para o interesse crescente na utilização de modelos experimentais diabéticos, a fim de obter conhecimento sobre os mecanismos que induzem as alterações de desenvolvimento no diabetes gestacional. Vários estudos têm demonstrado os benefícios da prevenção do diabetes com intervenções no estilo de vida, melhora metabólica e controle de fator de risco cardiovascular para evitar substancialmente as complicações devastadores da doença. Apesar desses achados e a revolução recente no conhecimento científico e infinidade de novas terapias do diabetes, continua a haver uma grande lacuna entre o que foi aprendido por meio da pesquisa e o que é feito na prática da saúde pública, clínica e comunitária. O iminente impacto econômico negativo dessa complacência nos indivíduos, nas famílias e nas economias nacionais é alarmante. Espera-se que a pesquisa translacional no binômio diabetes-gravidez seja implementada em centros de excelência tanto de pesquisa básica como aplicada e complementada por estudos clínicos multicêntricos, conduzidos de forma pragmática para aumentar o nível de evidência científica com recursos diagnósticos e propedêuticos mais confiáveis.

Maternal diabetes constitutes an unfavorable environment for fetal-placental and embryonic development. It is has important repercussion in modern obstetrics, since it is associated to an increased risk of neonatal and maternal morbidity, and it still is a significant medical challenge. The increased occurrence of diabetes worldwide, the increase in diabetes type 2 in women at reproductive age and the crossed generation of intrauterine programming for diabetes type 2 are the bases for the growing interest in utilization of diabetic experimental samples, with the aim to acquire knowledge about the mechanisms that induce development alterations in gestational diabetes. Several studies have shown the benefits of diabetes prevention, with interventions in lifestyle, metabolic improvement and control of cardiovascular risk factors to substantially prevent the complications of this devastating disease. Despite these findings, the recent revolution in the scientific knowledge, and the infinite number of new therapies for diabetes, there is still a large gap between what was learned through research and what is really done in public, clinical and community health. The negative economic impact of this complacency in people, families, and national economies is alarming. It is expected that translational research in the binomial diabetes and pregnancy are implemented in centers of excellence, in both basic and applied research, and complemented by multicenter clinical studies, conducted in a pragmatic way to increase the level of scientific evidence with more reliable diagnostic and propaedeutic resources.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the direct protective action of oral fatty acid supplementation against the deleterious effect of hyperglycemia on maternal reproductive outcomes; fetal growth and development on female Wistar rats. The animals were distributed into four experimental groups: G1= non-diabetic without supplementation (Control group); G2= non-diabetic treated with linoleic (LA) and gammalinolenic acid (GLA) (1 mL of Gamaline-V/day); G3= diabetic without supplementation and G4= diabetic treated with LA and GLA. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). At day 21 of pregnancy, the gravid uterus was weighed and dissected to count the dead and live fetuses, resorption, implantation, and corpora lutea numbers. The fetuses were analyzed for external and internal anomalies. The treatment with Gamaline-V supplementation to diabetic rats interfered in the maternal reproductive outcome (reduced number of live fetuses and embryonic implantation); however, it protected the deleterious on the incidence of congenital anomalies caused by hyperglycemia.

The aim of this work was to analyze the cell proliferation and apoptosis indexes on the 18th and 21st days of pregnancy of diabetic rats and to correlate with maternal glycemia and perinatal outcomes. Placentas from 20 Wistar rats were collected and divided into four experimental groups: control and diabetic of 18 and 21 days of pregnancy. The cell proliferation was analyzed using the PCNA expression and apoptosis by the TUNEL method. It was observed that PCNA and TUNEL indexes decreased from day 18 to 21 of pregnancy in the placentas of diabetic rats and these values were lower than control groups. Diabetic dams presented higher percentage of small for pregnancy age (SPA) fetuses. However, there was no difference between the PCNA and TUNEL indexes in SPA and N-SPA fetuses in all the groups and these indexes were not correlated to maternal glycemic. Thus, placental cell proliferation and apoptosis did not interfere in the intrauterine growth restriction.

The aim of this sstudy was to evaluate the liver glycogen storage in pregnant rats presenting neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetes and to establish a relation with glycemia and insulin levels. Wistar rats were divided in to two groups: 1) Mild Diabetes (STZ) - received streptozotocin (glycemia from 120 to 300 mg/dL), 2) Control - received vehicle (glycemia below 120 mg/dL). At days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the pregnancy, body weight and glycemia were evaluated. At day 21 of the pregnancy, the rats were anesthetized for blood and liver collection so as to determine insulin and liver glycogen, which showed no changes in the STZ group as compared to the controls. In the STZ group, maternal weight gain were lower as compared to those in the control group. Significantly increased glycemia was observed at days 0 and 14 of the pregnancy in the STZ group. Therefore, neonatally induced diabetes in the rats did not cause metabolic changes that impaired insulin and liver glycogen relation in these rats.

OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desenvolvimento físico e sexual e a fisiologia reprodutiva de ratas que se desenvolveram em condições hiperglicêmicas in utero e lactação. MATERIAIS E METODOS: Para induzir o diabetes nas ratas, foi utilizada estreptozotocina em dose única via intravenosa antes do acasalamento. A prole feminina foi avaliada por meio dos seguintes parâmetros: o desenvolvimento físico; a idade de abertura vaginal e do primeiro estro, peso e avaliação histológica do útero e ovários; a duração do ciclo estral, o comportamento sexual e a fertilidade após acasalamentos naturais. RESULTADOS: O diabetes materno provocou, na prole feminina, retardo no desenvolvimento físico; diminuição do peso dos ovários e do número de folículos; a performance reprodutiva foi inferior à do grupo controle. CONCLUSÕES: Concluiu-se que a exposição aos meios intrauterino e lactacional hiperglicêmicos provocou retardo no desenvolvimento físico e sexual e prejudicou a fisiologia reprodutiva de ratas.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate physical and sexual development and reproductive physiology in female rat offspring that developed in hyperglycemia conditions in utero and during lactation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maternal diabetes was induced in female rats by a single IV injection of streptozotocin before mating. Female offspring development was evaluated by means of the following parameters: physical development; age of vaginal opening and first estrus; weight and histological evaluation of uterus and ovaries; duration of the estrous cycle, sexual behavior, and fertility after natural mating. RESULTS: In the female offspring, maternal diabetes caused delays in initial physical development; diminution in ovary weight and number of follicles; and inferior reproductive performance compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure to hyperglycemia in uterus and during lactation caused delays in physical and sexual development, and affected the reproductive physiology of female rats negatively.

Muitas superstições são encontradas em nossas vidas. Na medicina, uma profissão que se orgulha em métodos baseados em evidências para tratamentos, isso não é uma exceção. Uma superstição que abrange o parto é a influência de determinadas fases do ciclo da lua, mais especificamente a lua cheia. Embora estudos tenham demonstrado que o aumento de partos está relacionado com o ciclo lunar, existe discordância sobre quando ocorre o pico do volume de partos em cada fase da lua. Frente à divergência de resultados existentes na literatura que relaciona os eventos do ciclo lunar com parto, o objetivo desta revisão foi realizar um levantamento bibliográfico na tentativa de esclarecer esta cultura popular com base nos resultados apresentados por diferentes autores.

Superstitions are found everywhere in our lives, and medicine, a profession that is prides itself on an evidence-based approach to treatment, is not exempt. A superstition that pervades the labor and delivery floor is that it is busier during certain phases of the lunar cycle, specifically the full moon. Although some studies have demonstrated an increase in deliveries that are related to the lunar cycle, there has been disagreement about when, in the lunar cycle, the peak volume occurs. Front to the divergence of the existent results in the literature to relate the events of the lunar cycle with deliveries, the aim of this review was to accomplish the literature in the attempt of explaining this popular culture with base in the results presented by different researchers.

Se encuentran las supersticiones por todas partes en nuestras vidas, y la medicina, una profesión que tiene orgullo acerca de los tratamientos con base en evidencia, no está extinta. La influencia de ciertas fases del ciclo lunar, específicamente la luna llena, es una superstición sobre el parto. Aunque algunos estudios han demostrado un aumento en los partos que se relacionan al ciclo lunar, ha habido discordancia sobre cuando, en el ciclo lunar, el volumen máximo ocurre. Afronte a la divergencia de los resultados existentes en la literatura que relacionan los eventos del ciclo lunar con los partos, el objetivo de esta revisión era explorar la literatura en el esfuerzo de explicar esta cultura popular con la base en los resultados presentado por los diferentes investigadores.

Superstitions are found everywhere in our lives, and medicine, a profession that is prides itself on an evidence-based approach to treatment, is not exempt. A superstition that pervades the labor and delivery floor is that it is busier during certain phases of the lunar cycle, specifically the full moon. Although some studies have demonstrated an increase in deliveries that are related to the lunar cycle, there has been disagreement about when, in the lunar cycle, the peak volume occurs. Front to the divergence of the existent results in the literature to relate the events of the lunar cycle with deliveries, the aim of this review was to accomplish the literature in the attempt of explaining this popular culture with base in the results presented by different researchers.

Se encuentran las supersticiones por todas partes en nuestras vidas, y la medicina, una profesión que tiene orgullo acerca de los tratamientos con base en evidencia, no está extinta. La influencia de ciertas fases del ciclo lunar, específicamente la luna llena, es una superstición sobre el parto. Aunque algunos estudios han demostrado un aumento en los partos que se relacionan al ciclo lunar, ha habido discordancia sobre cuando, en el ciclo lunar, el volumen máximo ocurre. Afronte a la divergencia de los resultados existentes en la literatura que relacionan los eventos del ciclo lunar con los partos, el objetivo de esta revisión era explorar la literatura en el esfuerzo de explicar esta cultura popular con la base en los resultados presentado por los diferentes investigadores.

Muitas superstições são encontradas em nossas vidas. Na medicina, uma profissão que se orgulha em métodos baseados em evidências para tratamentos, isso não é uma exceção. Uma superstição que abrange o parto é a influência de determinadas fases do ciclo da lua, mais especificamente a lua cheia. Embora estudos tenham demonstrado que o aumento de partos está relacionado com o ciclo lunar, existe discordância sobre quando ocorre o pico do volume de partos em cada fase da lua. Frente à divergência de resultados existentes na literatura que relaciona os eventos do ciclo lunar com parto, o objetivo desta revisão foi realizar um levantamento bibliográfico na tentativa de esclarecer esta cultura popular com base nos resultados apresentados por diferentes autores.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os estoques de glicogênio placentário e o desenvolvimento fetal na prenhez de ratas com diabete moderado induzido no período neonatal e relacionar com glicemia e níveis de insulina. MÉTODOS: No dia de nascimento, foram distribuídas aleatoriamente 147 ratas em dois grupos experimentais: 1) Grupo Não-diabético (Controle, n=45) - recebeu o veículo; 2) Grupo Diabético (STZ, n=102) - recebeu 100 mg streptozocin/kg peso corpóreo. No dia 0 de prenhez, foram incluídas ratas controle que apresentassem glicemia baixo de 120 mg/dL e, no grupo STZ, com glicemia entre 120 e 300 mg/dL. No 21º dia de prenhez, amostras de sangue foram coletadas para glicemia e determinação de insulina e as placentas foram retiradas para determinação de glicogênio placentário. Os recém-nascidos (RN) foram classificados em pequeno (PIP), adequado (AIP) e grande (GIP) para idade de prenhez. RESULTADOS: As ratas STZ apresentaram glicemias maiores nos dias 0 e 14 de prenhez. No final da prenhez, as ratas STZ mostraram maior proporção de RN PIP e GIP, taxa reduzida de RN AIP e inalteração em glicemia, insulina e na determinação de glicogênio placentário. CONCLUSÃO: O diabete moderado alterou a glicemia materna no início da prenhez, prejudicando o futuro desenvolvimento placentário e fetal, mas não causou nenhuma alteração na determinação de insulina e de glicogênio placentário, confirmando que esta intensidade de glicêmica foi insuficiente para modificar o metabolismo de glicogênio.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the placental glycogen storage and fetal development in the pregnancy of neonatally streptozocin-induced diabetic rats and to establish relation with glycemia and insulin levels. METHODS: At the birth day, 147 female rats were randomly distributed in two experimental groups: 1) Non-diabetic Group (Control, n=45) - received the vehicle; 2) Diabetic Group (STZ, n=102) - received 100 mg streptozocin/kg in neonatal period. At day 0 of pregnancy, adult female rats were included in the control group when presented glycemia below 120 mg/dL and, in the group STZ with glycemia between 120 and 300 mg/dL. At day 21 of pregnancy, blood samples were collected for glycemia and insulin determination, and placentas withdrawn for placental glycogen determination. The newborns (NB) were classified in small (SGA), appropriate (AGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age. RESULTS: Rats STZ presented higher glycemia at days 0 and 14 of pregnancy. At end of pregnancy, rats STZ showed higher proportion of NB SGA and LGA; reduced rate of NB AGA and unaltered glycemia, insulin and placental glycogen determinations. CONCLUSION: Mild diabetes altered the maternal glycemia in the early pregnancy, impairing future fetal development, but it caused no alteration on insulin and placental glycogen determination, confirming that this glycemic intensity was insufficient to change glycogen metabolism.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, em cadáveres de cães, uma técnica para remoção do esôfago torácico sem toracotomia e dois métodos de substituição do esôfago torácico. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 27 cadáveres de cães. Estes foram aleatoriamente divididos em três grupos de nove animais, em que se estudou: G1 - esofagectomia torácica total pelo método de invaginação retrógrada; G2 - esofagectomia torácica total com substituição esofágica pelo estômago inteiro; G3 - esofagectomia torácica total com substituição esofágica por um gastrotubo confeccionado de acordo com a técnica de Büchler de gastroplastia por rotação do fundo. Após a ressecção esofágica no grupo 1, a integridade da rota intratorácica foi avaliada por endoscopia e solução de azul de metileno a 1%. RESULTADOS: A ruptura da pleura visceral ocorreu em todos os animais, especialmente no terço caudal. Entretanto, a rota transtorácica mediastinal permitiu a elevação de ambos os substitutos esofágicos (G2 e G3) para a realização da anastomose com a extremidade caudal do esôfago cervical. CONCLUSÕES: A substituição por estômago inteiro apresentou menor tensão na anastomose, maior facilidade e rapidez comparada à técnica de gastroplastia por rotação do fundo. Os resultados em cadáveres suportam a realização de estudos clínicos para validação da técnica.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a technique to remove the thoracic esophagus without thoracotomy and two methods for thoracic esophageal replacement in dogs. METHODS: 27 ex-vivo dogs were divided into three groups in order to evaluate: G1 - total thoracic esophagectomy by the everting stripping method; G2 - total thoracic esophagectomy and esophageal substitution using the whole stomach; G3 - total thoracic esophagectomy and esophageal substitution using fundus rotation gastroplasty. After esophageal resection in G1, the integrity of the intrathoracic route was evaluated by endoscopy and tested with 1% methylene blue solution. RESULTS: Visceral pleural rupture was observed in all animals. However, this intrathoracic route made it possible to bring both esophagus substitutes (G2 and G3) to be anastomosed to the cut end of the cervical esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic esophageal substitution using the whole stomach showed less anastomotic tension and was less technically demanding than the fundus rotation gastroplasty method. The ex-vivo results support further studies to validate the techniques in clinical cases.