Objective: to detect the changes induced by STZ ̵ induced diabetes on uterine contractility and expression of connexin 43 in pregnant rat and the possible role of L ̵ carnitine to detect the role of L ̵ Carnitine in a model of diabetic pregnant rat.
Method:40 female Sprague Dawley rats were subdivided into four groups; G I (NC): normal pregnant rats, G II (DI): in which rats received single i.p injection of 40 mg/kg b.wt STZ at day 1 of pregnancy, G III (DI+CAR): in which rats received STZ as above, and then at day 3 of pregnancy, diabetic pregnant rats received daily i.p L ̵ carnitine injection at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt till end of pregnancy, and G IV (DI+INS): in which rats received STZ as above, and then at day 3 of pregnancy, diabetic pregnant rats received daily i.p insulin injection at a dose of 1 IU/100 g b.wt (till end of pregnancy. Plasma glucose and insulin level, uterine contractility, pathological changes were assessed at the end of the experiment and scarifying of rats.
Results: STZ induced DM caused significant increase in plasma glucose level, decreased plasma insulin level, impaired uterine contractility, pathological changes in diabetic group compared to normal control group. L ̵ Carnitine caused significant improvement in the studied parameters.