Effect of Prenatal Exposure to Progesterone on Dams and Fetus Health in Albino Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of progesterone on the pregnant dams health and their offsprings teratology. Eighteen cyclic female rats were used in the study. They introduced to males in the proestrus stage for mating. The pregnant rats were divided into two groups; control group (n=9) and progesterone-treated group, which given progesterone 10 mg/kg starting from the first gestation day (GD1) till 19th day of gestation (GD19). The body weight gain of pregnant dams was monitored. The blood biochemical parameters as serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as the levels of urea and creatinine for dams at GD19. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) were monitored for dams at GD19. The fetal weight, cervical vertebral length (CVL) and placental weight were recorded. Fetal stain to the skeleton by Alizarin Red S stains was done. Finally histopathological changes for maternal as well as fetal liver and kidney. The treatment with progesterone resulted in significant (P<0.05) increase in all blood biochemical parameters than control. Hepatic MDA was significantly (P<0.05) increased however, GSH was reduced (P<0.05) in progesterone-treated group than control. Serum IL-6 was also increased (P<0.05) in progesterone-treated dams than control while TNF-α was non significantly altered. Fetal weight and CVL was significantly (P<0.05) reduced beside the presence of some skeletal malformations in progesterone-treated group while placental weight was non significantly altered. The liver and kidney showed various degrees of retrogressive changes in progesterone-treated group. Progesterone adversely affected mothers' health and their foeti.