Investigation of Fetotoxic Effects of Lithium Carbonate on Growth Parameters in Rat’s Embryo

authors:

avatar M Sarbishegi 1 , * , avatar Hamidreza Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb 2 , avatar Zahra Heidari 2 , avatar H Rafighdoost 1

Anatomical sciences dept, Anatomy section, Faculty of medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Zahedan, Iran.
Anatomical sciences dept, Histology section, Faculty of medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Zahedan, Iran.
Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: Vol.5, issue 2; e95148
published online: June 25, 2003
article type: Research Article
received: June 09, 2003
accepted: June 20, 2003

how to cite: Sarbishegi M, Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb H , Heidari Z, Rafighdoost H. Investigation of Fetotoxic Effects of Lithium Carbonate on Growth Parameters in Rat’s Embryo. Zahedan J Res Med Sci. 2003;5(2):e95148. 

Abstract

Lithium is a drug, which is administrated in treatment of bipolar disorder, mania and
major depression. To prevent recurrent of disease using of this drug should be continued in
pregnancy.
Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the fetotoxic effects of lithium
carbonate on crown- rump length, fetal body weight, biparietal diameter and macroscopic
malformation in rat’s embryo.
30 female and 10 male Sprague dawely rats were chosen. After coupling and observation
of spermatozoa in vaginal smear, it was taken as zero day of gestation. Then pregnant rats
were randomized into test and control groups (n =6). The test group received 50mg lithium
carbonate in 7th –10th –13th –16th 19th day of gestation by intraperitoneal injection .In 20th
day of gestation, following deep anesthesia, the embryos removed and examined for
macroscopic abnormalities. Their fetal body weight (FBW), crown-rump length (CRL) and
biparietal diameter (BPD) measured and statistical analysis done. Statistical analysis
showed a significant decrease in mean of FBW, BPD and CRL following lithium
administration (p<0.05). It seems that lithium may cause decrease in growth of fetal rat.

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References

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