Establishing protocol for developing gestational diabetic model - a preliminary study in rat / Wan Nur Afiqah Wan Ahmad Rizam

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any degree of impaired glucose intolerance recognized during pregnancy. Most women with GDM will become normal glucose levels after delivering the babies; however there is a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life as are their offspring (Ryu et al.,2014). It has been reported that even mild increase in glucose levels during pregnancy affects both mother and fetus (Flores Le-Roux et al. 2013) It increases the macrosomial incidence and large for gestational age (LGA) babies these cases increases the risk for birth trauma, shoulder dystocia, and caesarean section (Metzger et al.,2008). GDM is a condition where the energy from food can't be use due to chronic hormonal condition (Leslie, Lansang, Coppack, & Kennedy, 2012). Gestational diabetes mellitus may occur due to either pancreas cannot produce enough insulin (insulin deficiency) to compensate high blood sugar level or the insulin itself is inactive (insulin resistance). Glucose is the main source of energy and its ability to enter the cells is due to the presence of insulin, in GDM level of glucose in blood may increase if it can't enter the cells and resulting a condition called hyperglyce (Leslie et al., 2012).