الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The present study was designed to elucidate the adverse effects of the orally administered aluminum (Al) on the growing fetus and consequently on the animal wealth in our country. This aim has been achieved by studying the teratogenic, perinatal, postnatal and immuno-toxic effects of aluminum chloride when administered orally at 345 mg/kg body weight to female rats during organogenesis, fetal and/ or lactation periods. Two main experiments were conducted; the first one is to determine the teratological, perinatal and postnatal effects while the second is to determine its immunotoxic effect on the pregnant and/ or lactating dams and their fetuses.A total of 110 pregnant females were used in the whole study. 1- The teratological, perinatal and postnatal study: Fifty pregnant female rats were used in the teratological, perinatal and postnatal study, divided into 5 equal groups: 10 animals in each. The results showed that Al.chloride produced a significantly higher percentage of external morphological abnormalities, visceral malformations and skeletal anomalies in the obtained fetuses compared to control group. Results of the Al- induced effects on the obtained fetuses from Al chloride treated dams through the 1st – 21st days after birth (lactation period) showed that Al significantly increased the percentage of postnatal deaths, fetal stunted growth with a significantly increased percentage of nervous and respiratory symptoms prior to death. Consequently, the survival and viability indices were reduced. Moreover, the weight gain during lactation was significantly reduced as there was a significant reduction in the mean fetal body weight at 14th and 21st days after birth. |