Some effects of zinc on maternal and fetal intergrity in pregnancy.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of zinc sulphate on the weights of pregnant rats, on the food and water consumption during gestation, litters weight at birth, the number of litters at birth and the accumulation of zinc in selected organs of the litters. Zinc sulphate in the dose of 1 mg/l and 20 mg/l drinking water was administered to both pregnant and non-pregnant for the period of gestation. The results indicated a significant [P < 0.005] increase in body weights of pregnant rats when compared with the corresponding controls (non-pregnant and zinc free rats). The values of food consumption in the pregnant rats during 1st, 2nd and 3rd week were significantly [P < 0.05] higher than the value obtained for the non-pregnant and the control of non-pregnant rats. Pregnant rats administered with 20 mg/l of zinc drinking water showed a sharp decline in the food consumption from the 3rd week and this was continuous till the end of gestation. The quantity of water consumed by pregnant rats was significantly [P < 0.005] higher than the control group (zinc free non-pregnant rats). Non-pregnant rats that received 1 mg/l of zinc drinking water significantly [P < 0.05] consumed more water than those that received 20 mg/l zinc drinking water. There was no significant difference between maternal weights of the experimental and control rats at parturition. Rats administered with 1 mg/l zinc delivered the biggest litters-size, which was significantly [P < 0.05] different from either those administered with 20 mg/l of zinc drinking water or zinc free water respectively. The weights of the liver, thyroid, and pancreas from the litters were significantly [P < 0.05] higher than those from the control rats. The liver was found to accumulate significant [P < 0.05] higher concentration of zinc when compared with the control group.