Maternal exposure to nicotine during pregnancy induces oxidative stress and growth retardation in F1 generation female Wistar rats

Abstract

Aim: We investigated the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on selected parameters in first filial (F1) generation female rats. Methods: Twenty-five adult female rats were divided into five groups and mated as follows: Group I, II, and III respectively received 0.2 ml/kg of normal saline, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg BW of nicotine daily for 28 days before mating and throughout gestation. Group IV (low-dose recovery) and V (high-dose recovery) received 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg BW of nicotine daily for 28 days before mating only. Five female F1 generation pups were randomly selected from the groups and allowed to grow naturally until puberty (12 weeks) before sacrifice, followed by measurement of organ-weights and biochemical parameters. Results: Results showed a dose-dependent reduction in percent weight gain in the F1 generation rats of the treated and recovery groups. Activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly decreased (P<0.05) while serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the female offspring of the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg nicotine-treated groups. Conclusions: Prenatal nicotine administration is associated with impaired growth, reduced tissue and serum antioxidants activities in F1 generation female rats.