Moreover, the quantification of leptin sensitivity by assessment of the elevation of p-STAT-3/t-STAT-3 ratio in leptin-injected compared to saline-injected rats (Fig. 6C) showed that the significant increase (∼68%) of STAT-3 phosphorylation observed in the adult offspring born to normally fed dams was totally abolished in those born to HF or HP dams (F (2, 27) = 68.46, P<0.001), while no significant group difference was found between HF and HP group when post hoc analysis was further explored (P = 0.58) (Fig. 6A–C). The gene discussed is STAT3; the disease is hydrops fetalis.