HFD combined with a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) to partially destroy the beta-cell population (72) resulted in a greater gestational weight gain and elevated blood glucose, insulin, and leptin levels, and a decrease in circulating adiponectin; mimicking many of the features of pre-gestational obesity in human pregnancy (73, 74). This evidence concerns the gene LEP and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.