Abstract
Biochemical assays and weight measurements were made to determine the basis for the cardiomegaly which has been reported following chronic carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. Long Evans rats bred in the laboratory were exposed throughout gestation either to room air or air containing 150 ppm CO. The exposure terminated within 12 hr after parturition. CO-exposed neonates showed persistent body weight depression throughout the preweaning period. Wet heart weight was elevated in the CO-exposed rats at birth, but no difference between groups remained at 4 days of age. Dry heart weight did not differ significantly between groups at birth. Biochemical analyses conducted at 1 day of age suggested a general reduction in concentration of protein as well as DNA, RNA, and free nucleotides although none of these differences was statistically significant. Total content of these cellular constitutents was not significantly affected by the prenatal CO exposure despite the increased wet weight of the heart. It is concluded that increased water content accounted for the increased heart weight seen at birth in CO-exposed rats.
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