Prenatal zinc supplementation to lipopolysaccharide infected female rats prevents neurochemical, behavioral and biochemical deficits produced in infants

Aim: Recent research revealed an association between maternal infection i.e. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure during pregnancy and increased risk for central nervous system disorders being passed onto the off-spring. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of LPS infection during d14-17 of pregnancy (equivalent to third trimester in humans) on neurochemical, neurobehavioral abnormalities, biochemical as well as histopathological parameters in male/female pups. Also, the effect of zinc supplementation throughout pregnancy to female rats in ameliorating LPS induced neurodegenerative effects caused in pups were evaluated. Methods: Pregnant female rats were administered single dose of LPS (200 μg/kg) intraperitoneal on d14-17 of their pregnancy. Zinc supplementation was given throughout pregnancy (75 mg ZnSO4/L) in drinking water. Results: LPS injection to pregnant female rats significantly altered the levels of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine) in pups. Also, marked deterioration of motor behavior parameters (actophotometer, rotarod) as well as cognitive decline (plus maze and active avoidance) has been observed in male as well as female pups. Whereas, supplementation with zinc limited the alterations in behavioral parameters as well as significantly improved the level of neurotransmitters in prenatally exposed pups of both genders. However, levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formed as well as antioxidant defense system including reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were found to be excessively compromised in female pups when compared to male pups. Conclusion: Hence, the study indicated LPS mediated toxicity in prenatally exposed pups is gender specific and zinc supplementation during pregnancy was found to attenuate LPS induced toxicity in pups.