Evaluation of toxicity of boric acid in pregnant rats

Boron occurs most frequently in nature as borates and boric acid. Humans consume about a milligram of boron per day in foods such as fruit and vegetables. Boron is essential for the growth of many plants. At high doses, boron is developmentally toxic. The aim of this study was to evaluate signs of toxicity of boric acid administration in pregnant rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administrated oral doses 514, 257, 128, 51mg/kg of boric acid, from 7[th] to 16[th] day and from 1[st] to 20[th] day of gestation. Pregnant rats were evaluated for rate of abortion, weight gain during pregnancy and relative weights of liver, kidneys, placenta and uteri. At 20[th] day. The animals were sacrificed and histological study of liver and kidneys were done . Results showed that the rate of abortion was increased with the high doses meanwhile the weight gain of pregnant rats was decreased, moreover ,the relative weights of liver and kidneys of pregnant rats were increased and the weight of placenta and uteri were decreased in treated groups as compared to control . Histopathological studies of liver and kidneys revealed signs of toxicity in the form of congestion of blood vessels and fatty degeneration with atrophic changes in the parenchyma's cells of liver and kidneys. In conclusion, boric acid administration in pregnant rats induced toxicities in the form of enhanced rate of abortion ,decreased weight gain during pregnancy .Hepatic and renal toxicities of boric acid were confirmed by histopathological abnormalities. Boric acid toxicity in pregnant rats was dose and time dependent

Developmental toxicity of boric acid in rats' fetuses

Boric acid [BA], an essential plant micronutrient, occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. Boric acid has been shown to cause developmental abnormalities in the fetuses of pregnant rats. The present study examined its effects on the development of rat fetuses. Boric acid was orally administrated to pregnant rats by gastric intubation 514, 257, 128, 51 mg/kg, from the 7[th] to 16[th] of gestation and from the 1[st] to 20[th] day of gestation. Boric acid has been shown to induce fetal growth retardation and increased fetal mortality rate. The morphological examination of the fetuses revealed anomalies of limbs [paralysis, adactyly and brachdactyly] and external hematomas. Fetal skeletal staining showed delayed ossification of central and peripheral skeletons with obvious abnormalities of the terminal ribs in the form of shortness, agenesis and wavy ribs. Histopathological examination of liver and kidneys revealed signs of toxicity in the form of congestion of blood vessels and fatty and hydropic degeneration with atrophic changes in the hepatic and renal cells. In conclusion, prenatal boric acid induced developmental fetal toxicity in the form of intrauterine growth retardation with delayed ossification of bones, hepatic and renal histopathological changes. The induced abnormalities of boric acid on the fetus were dose and time dependent