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Generational reproductive outcomes in Wistar rats maternally exposed to Ricinus communis oil at different stages of gestation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2015

S. A. Salami  and
Y. Raji
S. A. Salami*
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Y. Raji
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
*
*Address for correspondence: S. A. Salami, Department of Physiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, 1-5 Oba Akinjobi Street, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Nigeria.(Email: piety1424@yahoo.com)
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Abstract

Fetal programming hypothesis presupposes that stimulus or insult acting during critical periods of uterine growth and development may permanently alter tissue structure and function. Ricinus communis oil (RCO) has been reported to possess/used as laxative, labor-inducing and estrogenic properties. Generational reproductive effects of maternal exposure to RCO was investigated in rats. A total of 25 pregnant rats randomly assigned to five equal groups were treated with distilled water (control, group 1), RCO (950 mg/kg p.o.) during gestation days (GD) 1–7, 7–14, 14–21 and 1–21, respectively. Birth weight, morphometric data, anogenital distance (AGD), pubertal age, sperm parameters, hormonal profile, organ weight and histopathology were determined in the first (F1) and second (F2) filial generations. Results showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in birth weight/morphometric data in male pups from the GD 1–7 and 7–14 groups. AGD decreased significantly in RCO-treated F1 males. Pubertal age of F1 females decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared with controls. At postnatal day 90, F1 males from the RCO-treated group showed significant decrease in testis weight, body weight, sperm count, motility and normal morphology. Testosterone levels were significantly decreased in RCO-treated F1 males, which also showed testicular interstitial edema and epididymal hypospermia. Only pubertal indexes were altered in F2 rats. Maternal exposure to RCO at early gestation periods impaired androgen-mediated reproductive end points in the first generation of rats. RCO exhibits endocrine disrupting capabilities.

Keywords

anogenital distanceestrogenic effectsfetal programmingRicinus communis oil
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 6 , Supplement 5: Themed Issue: David Barker commemorative meeting, September 2014; Prenatal Exposures and Health Outcomes , October 2015 , pp. 443 - 453
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2015 

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