30Jun 2014

In-utero exposure to ripe Carica papaya seed resulted in postnatal outcomes from only first and second trimesters in rats

  • Abstract
  • Cite This Article as
  • Corresponding Author

Limited information is available on the effect of Limited information is available on the effect of ripe Carica papaya seed on postnatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine its effect on pregnancy outcome, postnatal growth, somatic landmarks, and anogenital index (AGI) in offspring of rats exposed to the extract during three trimesters as well as a pretreatment group. Pregnant rats were randomly distributed into five experimental groups: Control = administered olive oil (vehicle); Pretreatment = administered 50mg/kg of chloroform extract of Carica papaya seed (CECS)extract for 7days (before mating to complete at least an oestrus cycle); D7 = administered 50mg/kg of the extract from gestation day 1- 7 (first trimester); D14= administered 50mg/kg of the extract from GD 1-14 (second trimester); D21= administered 50mg/kg of the extract from GD 1-21 (third trimester). Pregnancy outcomes observed were length of gestation, litter size, litter birth weight, stillbirth incidences. The pre-implantation and post-implantation losses were also calculated. Offspring postnatal developments and somatic landmarks were also observed while the AGI was calculated. Data were analysed using, ANOVA and Student’s t-test at p=0.05. Treatment with CECS during pregnancy: increased post-implantation loss in the third trimester; increased litter birth weight and increased post-natal weights occurred in the pretreatment, first, and second trimesters; while delayed somatic landmark in age of eye opening occurred in offspring of first and second trimester treated rats and delayed age of fur appearance occurred in offspring from second trimester rats while an earlier onset of fur appearance occurred in offspring of first trimester exposed rats. Treatment did not affect the AGI on postnatal day 4 in the offspring exposed to the extract at pretreatment and first trimester of pregnancy. The achieved results indicate that caution should be taken when recommending the plant extract during pregnancy as abortions could occur if the extract is used throughout pregnancy even if they are from ripe fruits.


[O.T. OYELOWO, Y. RAJI, A.F. BOLARINWA (2014); In-utero exposure to ripe Carica papaya seed resulted in postnatal outcomes from only first and second trimesters in rats Int. J. of Adv. Res. 2 (Jun). 0] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com


OYELOWO OLUWAKEMI PhD