title: Physiological and biochemical measurements before, during and after pregnancy of healthy rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silvana Barroso
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Corvino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, University Center of Araguaia, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Tadeu
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Volpato
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathália Cristine Dias
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yuri Karen
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Sinzato
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marilza Vieira Cunha
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Rudge
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora Cristina
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Damasceno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008098:Litter Size; D023421:Models, Animal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol