Abstract
Purpose :
Offspring born to mothers with diabetes are at high risk of developing structural and functional changes in the retina, potentially compromising their vision. This study investigates the impact of maternal diabetes on retinal thickness and morphology in the offspring.
Methods :
Diabetes was induced in female mice via intraperitoneal streptozotocin injections. After four weeks, diabetic females mated with wild-type males. Offspring from diabetic and non-diabetic mothers were sacrificed at postnatal days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30. Eyes were collected, sectioned into 12 µm slices, and stained with IsolectinB4 (vascular marker) and DAPI (nuclear marker). Fluorescent microscopy captured images, and ImageJ measured inner layer and entire retinal thickness. Comparisons were made between offspring of normal and diabetic mothers (≥3 mice/age group). ImageJ was used to measure vessels relative to surface area.
Results :
At postnatal day-7 (p7), total retinal thickness in control offspring was 194 µm ± 46.46, versus 181.3 µm ± 7.054 in offspring of diabetic mothers. At p14, control thickness was 202.9 µm ± 32.37, versus 179.0 µm ± 25.45 in diabetic offspring. At p21, control thickness was 210.4 µm ± 35.12, versus 166.2 µm ± 24.37 in diabetic offspring. At postnatal day p30, control thickness was 168.1 µm ± 46.36, versus 159.6 µm ± 46.52 in diabetic offspring. Significant reductions in retinal thickness were observed in diabetic offspring at p14 and p21 (p < 0.05), with a 15% overall reduction in total retinal thickness compared to control offspring among all age groups. No significant differences in the thickness of the inner retina except at p21 where the mean of inner retina thickness was 78.63 µm ± 18 in control vs 55.4 µm ± 7.3 in diabetic. Our analysis of vascular density showed a significant reduction of retinal vessels in the offspring of diabetic mothers at p14 compared to the age-matched offspring of normal mothers. There was no significant difference between the two groups at other time points.
Conclusions :
Maternal diabetes notably affects retinal thickness and vasculature in offspring, especially during the critical developmental window between p14-p21, heightening the risk of vision impairment. Consequently, meticulous management of maternal diabetes during pregnancy is vital to prevent harmful effects on offspring retinas.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.