Figure 1.

Significantly increased beta‐cell proliferation and elevated beta‐cell mass are detected in pregnant mice at gestational day 15. (A) Beta cell mass was determined at gestational day 15 in pregnant mice (PRG), compared with control non‐pregnant littermates (NOP). (B‐C) Beta cell proliferation was determined by Ki‐67⁺ beta cells, shown by quantification of Ki67⁺ insulin (INS)+ cells (B) and representative images (C). A square inset in white was shown for each panel in C. (D‐E) Beta cell apoptosis was determined by Terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) + beta cells, shown by quantification of TUNEL + INS + cells (D) and representative images (E). *P < .05. NS, no significance, n = 5. Scale bars are 50 μm.