Multigenerational effects of chronic maternal exposure to a high sugar/fat diet and physical training.

Pregnant individuals who overeat are more likely to predispose their fetus to the development of metabolic disorders in adulthood. Physical training is a prevention and treatment interventional strategy that could treat these disorders, since it improves metabolism and body composition. This study assessed the protective effect of physical exercise against possible metabolic changes in generations F1 and F2, whose mothers were subjected to a high-sugar/high-fat (HS/HF) diet. Wistar rats belonging to generation F0 were distributed into four groups (n = 10): sedentary control (CSed), exercised control (CExe), sedentary HS/HF diet (DHSed) and exercised HS/HF diet (DHExe). From 21 to 120 days of age, maintained during pregnancy and lactation period, CSed/CExe animals received standard feed and DHSed/DHExe animals a HS/HF diet. Animals from the CExe/DHExe underwent physical training from 21 to 120 days of age. Male and female F1 and F2 received a normocaloric feed and did not perform any physical training, categorized into four groups (n = 10) according to the maternal group to which they belonged to. An increase in body weight, adiposity and glucose, and a change in lipid profile in F0 were observed, while exercise reduced the biochemical parameters comparing DHSed with DHExe. Maternal exercise had an effect on future generations, reducing adiposity, glucose and triglyceride concentrations, and preventing deleterious effects on glucose tolerance. Maternal overeating increased health risks both for mother and offspring, demonstrating that an HS/HF diet intake promotes metabolic alterations in the offspring. Importantly, the physical training performed by F0 proved to be protective against such effects.

Efficacy of Morus nigra L. on reproduction in female Wistar rats.

Morus nigra L. is a plant employed as a substitute for the conventional hormonal replacement therapy. This work analyzes the estrogenic effect of M. nigra on the reproductive system and embryonic development of Wistar rats. Female rats were orally treated with M. nigra hydroalcoholic extract (MnHE) at the dose levels of 25, 50, 75, 350 and 700 mg/kg of body weight over 15 days, and continued through mating until the 14th day of gestation. Vaginal smears were performed daily and the body weight of the females was recorded at 5 days intervals. On day 15 of gestation, the females were killed and their kidneys, liver, spleen and ovaries were removed and weighed. The number of implants, resorptions, and live and dead fetuses were evaluated. Histological sections of ovaries, measurement of the height of the uterine epithelium and vaginal smears were performed to assess the estrogenic activity. The results showed that the administration of MnHE did not significantly alter the analyzed variables. Therefore, considering the experimental model used in this study, the data obtained indicate that M. nigra did not exhibit any estrogenic activity nor did exert a toxic effect on the female reproductive system and on the embryonic development of rats.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on the embryo-fetal development in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is an herbal medicine used for treating neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and also vestibular disturbance. Some components of GBE have presented estrogenic effects and, in a previous study, high dosages of GBE caused intra-uterine growth retardation in fetuses of Wistar rats treated during the fetogenesis period. METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats were treated, through gavage, with different dosages of aqueous GBE (3.5, 7.0, and 14.0 mg/Kg/day), during the tubal transit and implantation period. Rats were killed on the 15th day of pregnancy and the following parameters were evaluated: clinical symptoms of maternal toxicity; maternal body weight; feed and water intake; maternal liver, kidney, and ovary weights; number of corpora lutea; implants per group ratio; pre- and post-implantation loss per group ratio; live fetuses mean; dead fetuses percentage; fetus and placenta weight per offspring ratio; and fetal external malformation. RESULTS: No significant alteration was found for both the maternal and embryonic parameters evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The GBE treatment in pregnant Wistar rats, during the tubal transit and implantation period, caused no toxic effect on the maternal organism and did not induce embryonic death, growth retardation, and/or fetal malformations.

Desenvolvimento Embrionário em Ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) Tratadas com Óleo Essencial de Rosmarinus Officinalis Linn.

O óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis é utilizado em perfumes e cosméticos, na indústria alimentícia e em medicamentos, apresentando também atividade antimicrobiana. Há informações de que o óleo essencial poderia estar envolvido com alterações de membrana celular e que outros extratos de R. officinalis poderiam interferir com síntese/secreção de hormônios esteroidianos, concentração de glicose e proliferação de células endoteliais, processos que poderiam alterar o desenvolvimento embrio-fetal, o que levou a se planejar o presente trabalho com o objetivo de verificar o desenvolvimento fetal em ratas tratadas com R. officinalis. Ratas Wistar do Biotério do Centro de Biologia da Reprodução foram inseminadas por machos férteis comprovada e distribuídas aleatoriamente em grupos controle e tratados 1, 2 e 3 (T1, T2 e T3) que receberam, respectivamente: 242 mg/ kg; 484 mg/ kg e 968 mg/ kg de óleo essencial de R. officinalis. Os animais foram tratados do 80 ao 150  dia pós-coito e submetidos a eutanásia por excesso de anestesia no 210 dia. Variáveis observadas: indícios clínicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos de toxicidade materna e parâmetros reprodutivos, peso corporal e de órgãos maternos e fetais. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nas variáveis maternas analisadas, havendo apenas aumento da concentração de uréia que não foi esclarecido. O peso corporal e o de cérebr

A reliable positioning device for dorsoventral cephalometric radiography of the rat.

In dental research, dorsoventral cephalometric radiography is often used to assess skull growth and dental movement in rat models. To ensure that images can be reproduced, radiographers must use a cephalostat to maintain the rat's head in a consistent position across imaging sessions. The authors describe a positioning device they designed that connects easily to a standard dental X-ray machine. The device enabled researchers to position rats repeatedly for radiographic imaging with very little variation.

Lapachol Administered to Rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769): Teratogenic or embryotoxic?

Lapachol administrado a ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769): Teratogênico ou embriotóxico? Devido a controvérsias na literatura sobre os efeitos embriotóxicos e teratogênicos do lapachol, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as conseqüências da administração desta droga (100 and 200 mg/kg) a ratas Wistar prenhes no nono dia pós-coito, para investigar sua possível toxicidade no organismo materno e fetal. Dados maternos indicaram que na dose de 100 mg/kg o lapachol não foi tóxico. Enquanto que na dose de 200 mg/kg induziu uma leve toxicidade, estabelecendo a dose limite para a avaliação da toxicidade do desenvolvimento. As duas doses causaram redução de peso corporal e reabsorções, mas não causaram malformações. Assim, este estudo sugere um efeito embriotóxico, mas não teratogênico do lapachol em ratas Wistar.

Lapachol Administered to Rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769): Teratogenic or embryotoxic?

Lapachol administrado a ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769): Teratogênico ou embriotóxico? Devido a controvérsias na literatura sobre os efeitos embriotóxicos e teratogênicos do lapachol, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as conseqüências da administração desta droga (100 and 200 mg/kg) a ratas Wistar prenhes no nono dia pós-coito, para investigar sua possível toxicidade no organismo materno e fetal. Dados maternos indicaram que na dose de 100 mg/kg o lapachol não foi tóxico. Enquanto que na dose de 200 mg/kg induziu uma leve toxicidade, estabelecendo a dose limite para a avaliação da toxicidade do desenvolvimento. As duas doses causaram redução de peso corporal e reabsorções, mas não causaram malformações. Assim, este estudo sugere um efeito embriotóxico, mas não teratogênico do lapachol em ratas Wistar.

Reproductive toxicity of lapachol in adult male Wistar rats submitted to short-term treatment.

Lapachol is a therapeutic naphthoquinone, but little is known about its general and reproductive toxicity. In female rats, a high incidence of resorptions and fetal mortality has been reported. This work analyses the effect of the short-term administration of lapachol on vital and reproductive organs, and sperm production in Wistar rats. Adult animals were treated with 1 mL of lapachol hydroalcohol solution (100 mg/kg of body weight) for 5 days and killed 3 (T1) and 14 days (T2) after the end of treatment. Body and organ weights and sperm production were evaluated. The administration of lapachol significantly reduced the weight of the seminal vesicle (T1 animals). No significant alteration of gamete production, body weight and the weight of the other organs analysed were detected. The results suggest a reproductive toxicity effect of lapachol, indicating the seminal vesicle as a possible target organ.

Comportamento de ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) expostas ao extrato de Ginkgo biloba durante a lactação

O presente estudo observou o efeito da administração de extrato de Gynkgo biloba no comportamento de ratas lactantes. os animais foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais (n=15 ratas/grupo): Controle (1 mL de água destilada) e Tratado (3,5 mg/Kg por peso de G. biloba), os quais foram tratados por gavagem via oral durante o período de lactação plena (do 2o ao 16o dia pósnatal).Variáveis observáveis: [1] sinais de toxidade maternal - massa corporal e aumento/diminuição da ingestão de água e alimento, locomoção dentro da gaiola, ereção de pêlos, estereotipia, diarréia e mortes; [2] Comportamento maternal - indiferença a ninhada, organização do ninho, recolher e lamber filhotes; [3] Número de filhotes vivos, mortos e canibalizados. Não foi possível evidenciar diferenças significativas para quaisquer das variáveis. Pode-se concluir que o extrato de Ginkgo biloba não alterou o comportamento de ratas lactantes no modelo experimental utilizado.

Comportamento de ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) expostas ao extrato de Ginkgo biloba durante a lactação

O presente estudo observou o efeito da administração de extrato de Gynkgo biloba no comportamento de ratas lactantes. os animais foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais (n=15 ratas/grupo): Controle (1 mL de água destilada) e Tratado (3,5 mg/Kg por peso de G. biloba), os quais foram tratados por gavagem via oral durante o período de lactação plena (do 2o ao 16o dia pósnatal).Variáveis observáveis: [1] sinais de toxidade maternal - massa corporal e aumento/diminuição da ingestão de água e alimento, locomoção dentro da gaiola, ereção de pêlos, estereotipia, diarréia e mortes; [2] Comportamento maternal - indiferença a ninhada, organização do ninho, recolher e lamber filhotes; [3] Número de filhotes vivos, mortos e canibalizados. Não foi possível evidenciar diferenças significativas para quaisquer das variáveis. Pode-se concluir que o extrato de Ginkgo biloba não alterou o comportamento de ratas lactantes no modelo experimental utilizado.

Development of pregnancy in rats treated with Hypericum perforatum.

St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders. In the present paper, the toxicity of H. perforatum administered to female rats during the period of organogenesis (day 9-15 of pregnancy) was evaluated. Thirty inseminated Wistar rats were randomly distributed into control and treated groups, which received, by gavage, 0.5 mL of saline and 36 mg/kg body weight of Jarsin dried extract diluted into 0.5 mL of saline, respectively. Maternal toxicity was evaluated through: water and food intake, body weight gain, piloerection, locomotor activity, diarrhea and death occurrence. Animals were killed on day 21 of pregnancy, when fetuses and placentas were removed and weighed. The indices of implantation and resorption were calculated. Clinical signs of maternal toxicity were not observed and none of the variables analysed showed statistically significant differences. In the dose administered in the experimental model used, H. perforatum does not seem to be toxic to the mother nor to interfere with the progress of gestation during organogenesis.

Desenvolvimento embrionário durante o trânsito tubário em ratas wistar (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) tratadas com lapachol

The present work studies the embryo development during tubal transit in inseminated rats distributed into three groups: control (distilled water), vehicle (hydroalcoholic solution) and Lapachol (100mg of Lapachol/kg/body weight). Treatment was made by oral gavage on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th post coitum day (pc). The female were killed by total exsanguination, under anesthesia, on the 5th pc day. Maternal ovaries were weighed and corpora lutea counted. Uterine tubes and horns were washed and the embryos collected were counted and examined to observe their morphologic development. No clinical signs of maternal toxicity; no significant difference on ovaries weight, number of corpora lutea and number of embryo were observed. No morphological alteration in the embryos was observed after the treatment with Lapachol. The data obtained in the experimental design used indicate that there has been no toxic effect of Lapachol upon the mothers or the embryos.

Desenvolvimento do blastocisto em ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) tratadas com extrato de jarsin (Hypericum perforatum L., 1753)

The Jarsin extract (Hypericum perforatum L., 1753), is used as an alternative of the synthetic antidepressants. The are few paper concerning the reproductive toxicology of Jarsin extract and none related to the early embryonic development. The present work was aimed at verifying the effect of Jarsin extract, on the blastocyst development in Wistar rats. Female rats from the Centro de Biologia da Reprodução vivarium were mated with fertile males. After the insemination, the femalerats were randomly distributed in two groups: Control (0.5 ml ofdistilled water) and treated (18mg of H. perforatum/0.5 ml of distilled water). Both groups received the treatment by oral gavage, twice a day from the first to the fourth day of gestation. The animals were terminated on the fifth day of gestation. The oviduct and uterine cornua were flushedwith Talpe-Hepes medium and the embryos were collected, counting and their morphologic development performed. The dams were evaluated to clinical signs indicative of maternal intoxication (deaths, altered locomotion in the cage, piloerection, diarhoea, vaginal bleeding, reducedfood consumption and body weight gain or loss). Maternal ovary weight was measured and the number of corpora lutea was counted. The data were analyzed by the Students t test (a = 0,05). No clinical indicative of maternal intoxication were observed. The number of embryos and

Desenvolvimento do blastocisto em ratas (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) tratadas com extrato de jarsin (Hypericum perforatum L., 1753)

The Jarsin extract (Hypericum perforatum L., 1753), is used as an alternative of the synthetic antidepressants. The are few paper concerning the reproductive toxicology of Jarsin extract and none related to the early embryonic development. The present work was aimed at verifying the effect of Jarsin extract, on the blastocyst development in Wistar rats. Female rats from the Centro de Biologia da Reprodução vivarium were mated with fertile males. After the insemination, the femalerats were randomly distributed in two groups: Control (0.5 ml ofdistilled water) and treated (18mg of H. perforatum/0.5 ml of distilled water). Both groups received the treatment by oral gavage, twice a day from the first to the fourth day of gestation. The animals were terminated on the fifth day of gestation. The oviduct and uterine cornua were flushedwith Talpe-Hepes medium and the embryos were collected, counting and their morphologic development performed. The dams were evaluated to clinical signs indicative of maternal intoxication (deaths, altered locomotion in the cage, piloerection, diarhoea, vaginal bleeding, reducedfood consumption and body weight gain or loss). Maternal ovary weight was measured and the number of corpora lutea was counted. The data were analyzed by the Students t test (a = 0,05). No clinical indicative of maternal intoxication were observed. The number of embryos and

Desenvolvimento embrionário durante o trânsito tubário em ratas wistar (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) tratadas com lapachol

The present work studies the embryo development during tubal transit in inseminated rats distributed into three groups: control (distilled water), vehicle (hydroalcoholic solution) and Lapachol (100mg of Lapachol/kg/body weight). Treatment was made by oral gavage on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th post coitum day (pc). The female were killed by total exsanguination, under anesthesia, on the 5th pc day. Maternal ovaries were weighed and corpora lutea counted. Uterine tubes and horns were washed and the embryos collected were counted and examined to observe their morphologic development. No clinical signs of maternal toxicity; no significant difference on ovaries weight, number of corpora lutea and number of embryo were observed. No morphological alteration in the embryos was observed after the treatment with Lapachol. The data obtained in the experimental design used indicate that there has been no toxic effect of Lapachol upon the mothers or the embryos.

Administração de polvilho de lobeira a ratas lactando: comportamento materno e desenvolvimento neuromotor das crias

The development of rat pups depends on maternal care and milk production. In this work the effect of the lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum) powder administration to lactating mothers was tested, regarding maternal behavior and the pups neuromotor development. Female rats were treated (from 2nd to 16th post-natal day), with five mg of lobeira powder suspension/Kg body weight. The following variables were investigated: body weight, food intake, clinical signs of maternal intoxication and maternal behavior; body weight and indicators of pups motor development. There were no deaths, clinical signs of maternal intoxication, changes in maternal behavior or significant differences in body weight and food intake of mothers. The body weightof pups and the appearance date of motor development indicators were similar in control and treated groups. It is concluded that the lobeira powder administrated to lactating rats was not toxic to the mother, did not alter the maternal behavior, neither modified the neuromotor development of the pups.

Administração de polvilho de lobeira a ratas lactando: comportamento materno e desenvolvimento neuromotor das crias

The development of rat pups depends on maternal care and milk production. In this work the effect of the lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum) powder administration to lactating mothers was tested, regarding maternal behavior and the pups neuromotor development. Female rats were treated (from 2nd to 16th post-natal day), with five mg of lobeira powder suspension/Kg body weight. The following variables were investigated: body weight, food intake, clinical signs of maternal intoxication and maternal behavior; body weight and indicators of pups motor development. There were no deaths, clinical signs of maternal intoxication, changes in maternal behavior or significant differences in body weight and food intake of mothers. The body weightof pups and the appearance date of motor development indicators were similar in control and treated groups. It is concluded that the lobeira powder administrated to lactating rats was not toxic to the mother, did not alter the maternal behavior, neither modified the neuromotor development of the pups.

"Screening" de plantas nativas da Amazônia com potencial inibidor da fertilidade em ratas

Preliminary results are presented of a study on the anti-fertility activity of plants used by natives of the amazon region.Initial tests have detected positive biological activity in there different plants: Cusparia toxicaria, Petiveria alliacea and Inga edulis.

São apresentados os resultados preliminares de um estudo sobre a potencialidade, como inibidoras de fertilidade, de plantas utilizadas por índios na região amazônica.Os testes iniciais detectaram atividade biológica positiva em três plantas: Cusparia toxicaria, Petiveria alliaceae Inga edulis.

"Screening" de plantas nativas da Amazônia com potencial inibidor da fertilidade em ratas

Preliminary results are presented of a study on the anti-fertility activity of plants used by natives of the amazon region.Initial tests have detected positive biological activity in there different plants: Cusparia toxicaria, Petiveria alliacea and Inga edulis.

São apresentados os resultados preliminares de um estudo sobre a potencialidade, como inibidoras de fertilidade, de plantas utilizadas por índios na região amazônica.Os testes iniciais detectaram atividade biológica positiva em três plantas: Cusparia toxicaria, Petiveria alliaceae Inga edulis.