ABSTRACT
Aim: this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of extra-virgin olive oil [EVOO] against teratogenicity of the fungicide mancozeb
Methods: after pregnancy confirmation, 32 pregnant rats were divided into 4-groups [n=8]. The 1[st] group orally administered tap water [-ve control], the 2[nd] group [+ve control] was administered EVOO [0.5ml/dam] from the1[st] to 20[th] day of pregnancy. The 3rd and the 4[th] groups were administered 200 mg/kg mancozeb during the period of organogenesis, from the 6[th] to 15[th] day of pregnancy. The 4[th] group received the mentioned dose of EVOO prior to the pesticide administration. Cesarean section was performed on day 20 of pregnancy and the maternal and fetal parameters were recorded
Results: mancozeb induced maternal toxicity manifested as lower body weight gain of dams, increased number of late resorption sites/litter in comparison with the control group and mancozeb group pretreated with EVOO. Mancozeb evoked a decrease in fetal body weight, altered sex ratio [M/F] as well as increased incidence of fetal external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. Treatment with virgin oil reduced the congenital malformations
Conclusively, the present study elucidates the protective role of EVOO as a result of antioxidant activity which scavenges the reactive oxygen species which induced cytotoxicity and increased prenatal mortalities.