ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to determine the consequences of Zn²+ deficiency on the gestational process. The study was conducted on adult Wistar virgin female rats fed isocaloric diets containing 16 percent protein and different Zn²+ concentrations, i.e., 2 ppm (severe restriction), 6 ppm (moderate restriction), and 20 ppm (control). Rats recived the diets and wather ad libitum for 7, 14 or 21 days before mating and throughout pregnancy. Survival of dams and pups decreased with increasing Zn²+ restriction and with time of exposure to the deficient diet. Mean survival rate for control dams and pups was 100 percent, whereas severe restriction (2 ppm for 21 days premating and during pregnancy) resulted in survival rates of 25 percent and 0 for dams and pus, respectively. Dam and pup survival rates for moderate restriction (6 ppm) for the same period were 83 percent and 72 percent, respectively. These results indicate the importance of Zn²+ before and during pregnancy and show that Zn²+ deficiency causes metabolic alterations which impair normal reproductive processes