Maternal toxicity induced by load

ABSTRACT

Pregnant female albino rats were orally administered Pb at the dosage level of 53.6 mg/kg b. wt. on days 9, 11, 9-14 or 11-14 during pregnancy. Blood and amniotic fluid were obtained on day 21 of pregnancy. Anemia was noticed in treated dams manifested by reduction in RBC, Hb content and PCV%, while MCV, MCHb and MCHC as well as WBC showed no changes. Some serum biochemical values including hepatorenal activities and main electrolytes were estimated and evaluated. Values of ALT, urea, uric acid, creatinine and K+, were elevated, while levels of glucose and Na+ decreased. However, levels of AST, cholesterol and Cl- did not differ from controls. Electrophoretic analysis of serum protein proportions showed in globulin fraction that alpha 1 and alpha 2 components significantly decreased, while beta 1 and gamma globulin increased. Nevertheless, values of beta 2, total protein and A/G ratio did not alter. Protein electrophoretic analysis of amniotic fluid revealed marked reduction in fractions beta 1 and beta 2, while gamma fraction, albumin and A/G ratio increased, but alpha-globulins as well as total protein showed no variations. Assessment of some biochemical constituents in amniotic fluid indicated that levels of glucose, uric acid, creatinine and Na+ were lowered with both single and repeated doses, while urea levels decreased with repeated doses only. However, values of cholesterol and chlorides showed nonsignificant difference. Fetuses obtained for Pb-treated mothers were submitted to electrolyte analysis and revealed marked depression in Na+ content, while K+ content increased with repeated doses only, whereas a significant rise was noticed in Cl- level with both single and repeated doses of Pb at any tested time of exposure during pregnancy. It is inferred from the current study that lead has a deleterious effect on hemopoietic system, hepatorenal functions, immunoglobulins and electrolyte balance of pregnant dams which in return reflects potential risk for both mother and fetus