In embryos exposed to PGDM, NTDs and premature senescence were observed in the neuroepithelium; neurulation disruptions in offspring exposed to diabetes (versus controls) were also noted, in addition to a decrease in the signal from H3K9me3 due to the deletion of the Foxo3a gene, suggesting that epigenetic changes caused by the condition of maternal diabetes can lead to the development of NTDs [104]. This evidence concerns the gene FOXO3 and diabetes mellitus.