Impact Of Prenatal Administration Of Melamine On Foetal Growth In Rats

Data on the potential effects of maternal exposure to melamine is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the impact of melamine administration on pregnancy outcome and foetal growth in rats.

Positively-mated female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) were treated from day 6 to day 20 of gestation with vehicle (control), melamine 300 mg/kg/day (group-1) or melamine 450 mg/kg/day (group 2). On day 21, the numbers of foetal resorptions and dead foetuses were recorded. Thereafter, pups were examined for external anomalies, and various growth parameters were measured.

A remarkable increase in the number of resorptions was observed in group-2 compared to the other two groups. A significant increase in foetal weight and placental weight was seen in group-2 compared to control. Head length and placental diameter were low in group-1 compared to control. The ratio between crown-rump length and head length was significantly greater in group 2 compared to control indicating asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction. The only influence observed in group 1 compared to control was a decrease in placental diameter. No gross foetal malformations or changes in umbilical cord length, crownrump length or biparietal diameter were observed in both melamine-treated groups.

Maternal exposure to melamine during pregnancy increased the incidence of resorption and resulted in asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction.