Abnormalities in Offspring of White Rats Given Protamin Zinc Insulin During Pregnancy.

Abstract

Protamine zinc insulin administered to 51 pregnant albino rats throughout pregnancy in doses 7 and 8 units daily (nearly the maximum dose tolerated) had significant effects on fetal development. Compared with fetuses of untreated normal control rats, the average weight of the fetuses of the insulin-treated rats was lower, and the number in each litter was less owing to fetal deaths and resorption. Mild skeletal abnormalities were found, many of the fetuses showing a decreased number or complete absence of ossification centers in the sternum, a few showing some irregularities in shape and staining of the ribs and long bones.