Role of amygdala kisspeptin in pubertal timing in female rats.

To investigate the mechanism by which maternal obesity disrupts reproductive function in offspring, we examined Kiss1 expression in the hypothalamic arcuate (ARC) and anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nuclei, and posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) of pre-pubertal and young adult offspring. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a standard or energy-dense diet for six weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. Male and female offspring were weaned onto normal diet on postnatal day (pnd) 21.

Testosterone promotes glucose intolerance, lipid disorder and oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic rats.

Background: A bidirectional relationship has been established between testosterone deficiency (TD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Low testosterone level has been reported to be a predisposing factor to T2DM, whereas recent clinical studies have shown a high prevalence of low testosterone in diabetic individuals. However, it is not known if any relationship exists between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and testosterone level.

Mechanism of delayed puberty in rats whose mothers consumed Hibiscus sabdariffa during lactation.

Context: Extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HS) (Malvaceae) has been reported to decrease fluid and food intake in lactating rats through a mechanism not yet fully understood. It has also been reported that rat pups undernourished during lactation have delayed puberty onset, suggesting a link between nutrition and onset of puberty.

Fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in pregnant Nigerian women.

There are numerous reports of altered carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy. Normal pregnancy is sometimes characterised by mild fasting hypoglycaemia, postprandial hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Pregnancy has also been observed to be associated with a hypercholesterolaemic state in some individuals with pregnancy-induced hypertension.