RESUMO
The changes of zine content in serum and feces observed after intragastric administration of a certain dose of dithizone to the pregnant rats in their third trimester for one week, and the developing status of brain of their pups were studied. The result showed that the total fecal exerction of zine during 24 hours increased and serum zine content decreased significantly aftcr continual administration of dithizone for one week in maternal rats. It suggested that dithizone may be used for making animal model of zine deficiency. The body and brain weights, brain protein content and RNA/DNA ratio of the newborn delivered by the zine-deficiency maternal rats decrcased significantly. This indicates that the maternal zine dificiency in third trimester gives side effects on the development of their fctal brain.