The embryopathic effects of zinc deficiency and the influnce of zinc supplementation on growth and organogenesis in zinc deficient rat embroyos.

BACKGROUND: Zinc deficiency during gestation is teratogenic in both humans and other mammalian species. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research were to investigate the embryopathic effects of zinc deficiency during the period of organogenesis and the influence of zinc supplementation of zinc deficient rats in 12 days old embryos. METHODS: There were four groups: ad libitum (C), pair-fed (PC), zinc deficient (ZD) and zinc deficient+zinc (ZDZ) groups. The ZD group received the zinc deficient liquid diet, the ZDZ group received the zinc deficient diet + 15 mg/Kg of Zinc Sulphate; and the PC group was restricted-fed the control diet, the amount consumed by the respective pair-mate in the ZD group while the group C received the liquid control diet unrestricted. RESULTS: Maternal weight-gain from days 6 to 12 of gestation were significantly lower in the zinc deficient (ZD) animals, compared to the ad libitum control (C), pair-fed control (PC) group or the zinc deficient + zinc (ZDZ) group. In addition, zinc deficiency resulted in significant reduction in growth of embryos (embryonic protein content, crown-rump length and number of somites) and in a significant retardation in development of organ primordia. Zinc supplementation of zinc deficient pregnant rats significantly improved crown-rump length, increased embryonic protein content and improved the development of somites. Moreover, the development of embryonic circulatory, nervous and musculoskeletal systems was improved by zinc supplementation of zinc deficient animals. CONCLUSION: These results show that zinc deficiency is embryopathic in vivo and that zinc supplementation of zinc deficient rats ameliorated the embryopathic effects of zinc deficiency.