Fetal and maternal corticosterone and corticosteroid binding globulin in the diabetic rat gestation

Delayed fetal lung development is a feature of the diabetic pregnancy. Since fetal glucocorticoids are important in the regulation of lung maturation, we measured corticosterone and corticosteroid-binding globulin binding capacity in streptozotocin-diabetic pregnant rats and their fetuses. Previous studies have demonstrated delayed fetal lung maturation in this animal model. In control fetuses, total corticosterone concentration increased through day 20 of gestation, then declined until day 22 (term). The unbound steroid, which accounted for 5-10% of the total, increased approximately 3-fold from day 18 to term. Corticosteroid-binding globulin binding capacity peaked on day 19 after which it decreased. Maternal total and unbound corticosterone levels and corticosteroid-binding globulin binding capacity remained relatively constant throughout the final week of normal gestation. When compared to controls, fetuses from diabetic pregnancies had significantly lower total corticosterone from day 19 through 22. Corticosteroid-binding globulin binding capacity was also significantly decreased in these fetuses for the last 4 days of gestation. Similar differences were noted in maternal samples. However, no significant differences in unbound, biologically active, corticosterone were seen when diabetic and control groups were compared. Thus, delayed fetal lung maturation observed in fetuses of streptozotocin-diabetic rats is associated with a decrease in total circulating corticosteroid levels late in gestation. However, since unbound corticosteroid levels were similar in fetuses of control and diabetic animals, it is likely that other mechanisms may be responsible for the observed delay in lung development in fetuses of diabetic pregnancies.