Contragestational action of hyperthermia on rat pregnancy. Effect on ornithine decarboxylase

In the rat, there are marked changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity in the fetuses and reproductive tissues during gestation. Exposure of pregnant rats to moderate hyperthermia (40 degrees C, 60 min) produced a marked decrease (about 80%) of ornithine decarboxylase activity in fetuses, uterus and ovaries, while this change was more moderate in placenta (about 20%). This effect was observed in different stages of pregnancy. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was returned to control values within a few hours after the end of the hyperthermic treatment. Hyperthermia produced marked contragestational effects if given sequentially on days 8, 9 and 10 of gestation, but only a decrease in the weight of viable fetuses was observed when given on days 11, 12 and 13. These results indicate that part of the harmful effects produced by hyperthermia on pregnant rats may be mediated by the sustained fall of ornithine decarboxylase activity during critical periods of gestation.