European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF MATERNAL CONSUMPTION OF FLAVONOID DURING PREGNANCY ON FETAL SIZE, WEIGHT AND PLACENTAL WEIGHT ON PREGNANT RATS

Anthonia Onyinye Ngwoke, Tobechukwu Chigha Iyidobi and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*

ABSTRACT

The nutritional status of a woman before and during pregnancy is important for a healthy pregnancy outcome. This study investigated the effect of flavonoid-rich extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa on fetal and placental weights, placental histology and plasma glucocorticoid level of pregnant Wistar rats. 20 female Wistar rats weighing 120-220g was used for this study. They were divided into control, low dose group (given 10mg/kg of flavonoid rich extract), medium dose group (given 20mg/kg of flavonoid rich extract), and high dose group (given 50mg/kg of flavonoid rich extract). Extract administration commenced on day 1 of pregnancy and ended on day 18. Maternal pregnancy weight, food intake and fluid intake, litter size, fetal weight, placental weight and histology and plasma corticosterone levels were also measured. Results showed significant increase in fetal weight with only low dose and no significant changes in the placental weight. It is then concluded that maternal consumption of flavonoid-rich extract from HS plant has no adverse effect on the fetal weight and placental weight. The use of flavonoid-rich extract by the mother does not have a toxic effect on the offspring hence, consumption of flavonoids as supplement should be encouraged among pregnant women to enable them shed weight (weight loss) that resulted from fat accumulation during pregnancy.

Keywords: flavonoid, pregnancy, fetal size, weight, placenta, pregnant.