Introduction:

the relationship between Zn deficiency and the high incidence of abnormal intrauterine growth in maternal diabetes has not yet been elucidated. There are no reports in the consulted literature of the effect of micronutrient supplementation on fetal growth in models of diabetes with moderate hyperglycemia.

Objective:

to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on fetal weight in rats with moderate diabetes during pregnancy.

Methods:

a model of mild diabetes was used in Wistar rats on the second day of birth by subcutaneous streptozotocin induction (100mg/kg-bw). As adults, healthy and diabetic rats were mated with healthy males. As appropriate, they received a zinc sulfate supplement (50mg/kg) during 20 days of gestation. A number of 395 fetuses from four groups were studied: fetuses from healthy rats without supplementation, from healthy rats supplemented, from diabetic rats without supplementation and from diabetic rats supplemented. Fetuses were classified as small (SGA), adequate (AGA), and large (LGA) for gestational age.

Results:

the offspring of the supplemented diabetic rats showed similar fetal weight values to both healthy groups at the end of pregnancy, having a lower percentage of SGA and LGA fetuses, as well as a higher percentage of AGA compared to the non-supplemented diabetic group.

Conclusions:

Zn supplementation during pregnancy in diabetic rats with moderate hyperglycemia had positive effects on their offspring by increasing the percentage of fetuses with adequate weight.