Estudio de los efectos que produce en neonatos de rata la administración prenatal de concentraciones bajas de plomo

Laburpena

The purpose of this work has been to determine the possible effects of prenatal exposure to low-doses of lead on the blood haemoglobin concentration, total protein amount of several organs and possible alterations on germinal line of the female pups. Lead acetate solution (300 ppm) were administered to female Wistar rats during all the gestational period. Weight gain and water consumption were daily measured, however these parameters did not change with the treatment. The brain, liver, kidneys and ovaries were extracted in newborns. In these organs the total protein amount was measured. Lead concentrations were determined in maternal and offspring blood. The blood haemoglobin concentration was measured. Some ovaries were processed for histology. The total amount of DNA and RNA of these organs were determined. The results of the present work show a higher concentration of lead in blood of the lead-exposed group. The haemoglobin concentration in blood was diminished. The birth weigth was reduced in the lead-treated group, but this reduction was not significant. The protein amounts in brain, liver and ovaries were reduced, but the treatment did not affect the total protein content in the kidneys. Histological studies show structural desorganization of the ovaries. No changes in total DNA and RNA content of the gonads have been found.