Effect of Alloxan Diabetes on Fertility and Gestation in the Rat.

Rats were made diabetic with alloxan and their ability to reproduce was studied under various conditions. The following observations were made: (1) the estrous cycle ceased in diabetic females and was restored by the administration of insulin; (2) 4 of 13 untreated diabetic animals, which were bred before the estrous cycle ceased, produced litters; (3) insulin treated diabetic animals reproduced in spite of a continuing hyperglycemia; (4) transient hyperglycemia did not interfere with reproduction and (5) diabetes in the mother did not result in hyperglycemia in the offspring in the few animals tested.