POSTNATAL MORPHOGENESIS OF MESENTERIC LYMPH NODES IN OFFSPRING BORN TO FEMALE RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Background. Maternal diabetes mellitus is an important factor that may adversely affect the development and functional maturation of the immune system in offspring. Maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy can influence the formation of lymphoid organs and may have long-term consequences for immune homeostasis after birth. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) are essential peripheral lymphoid organs involved in intestinal immune surveillance and the regulation of mucosal immune responses. Therefore, investigation of their postnatal development under conditions of maternal diabetes is of particular scientific interest.