Female reproductive profile in a fertile, genetically obese line of rats

The female reproductive profile of a fertile genetically obese line of rats, named β, is characterized. Hypophysis, ovaries, oviducts, and uteri weights do not differ from those of nonobese controls. Histological features in ovary, uterus, and vagina in β line and α controls are similar, in agreement with classical descriptions in the subject. Vaginal opening, number of estrus, number of corpora lutea at ovulation time, and pregnancy patterns (i.e., ovary weight, number of corpora lutea, sites of implantation, and living fetuses, as well as productivity, fertility, litter size, and preweaning mortality) show no significant differences between obese and nonobese animals. From a reproductive standpoint, obese β line would behave as nonobese. Up to now β would represent the only fertile genetically obese line of rats, appearing as a profitable biological model to widen and deepen reproductive analysis on obesity. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.