FETOMATERNAL STATUS AFTER SHIGA TONIN-2 ADMINISTRATION IN RATS IN EARLY STAGE OF PREGNANCY

SACERDOTI FLAVIA; AMARAL MARIA MARTA; ZOTTA ELSA; FRANCHI ANA MARIA; IBARRA CRISTINA

SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Workshop; INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE WORKSHOP; 2012

Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) responsible of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome might be one of the causes not yet investigated of feto-maternal morbimortality.In the present work we analyzed the feto-maternal status after intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 ng Stx2/g of body weight (bwt) on day 8 of gestation (gd 8).Every 24 h rats were controlled up to delivery. Weight, water and food intake were registered until 10 days post injection (dpi). In a separate experiment, Stx2 injected and control rats were sacrificed at different dpi to observe fetus status.The experimental groups showed maternal decrease in food and water intake resulting gradual weight loss until day 7-8 dpi (15-16 gd). The rats with 1 ng Stx2/g bwt died 6 days after injection, whereas those treated with 0.25 and 0.5 ng Stx 2/g bwt survived and recovered weight. All groups showed vaginal bleeding on day 6-10 dpi (14-18 gd) indicating fetomaternal alterations. Fetal resorptions were observed with both, 0.25 and 0.5 ngStx2/g bwt but with the lower dose some pups born in time. These results indicate that Stx2 may cause pregnancy loss in rats injected in early stage of pregnancy. Further studies are in progress to determine the mechanisms that lead Stx2 to provoke de deleterious effects.