Objective To investigate the effects of arsenic (As) exposure during pregnancy and lactation on the development of heart, liver, spleen, and kidney of offspring mice.
Methods A total of 48 pregnant Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups, 12 of each. Mother mice were exposed to As via consuming drinking water containing 0, 1, 4, and 16 mg/L arsenic trioxide (As2O3) from gestation day 0 to weaning. Physical development of offspring was monitored from birth to postnatal three weeks. Organ coefficients of offspring heart, liver, spleen, and kidney were determined and morphological indicators were observed under microscope.
Results The body weight and height of offspring of As exposed groups at the postnatal day 3, 10, 15 and 21 decreased with the increasing of As2O3 concentration in maternal drinking water (P<0.05). The organ coefficients of heart, liver, spleen, and kidney increased with the increasing of As2O3 concentration at the postnatal day 21 (P<0.05). Under microscope, the disordered distribution of myocardial fibers, hydropic degeneration in liver cells and endotheliocytes of proximal convoluted tubule, and obscure characteristic structure of spleen with atrophic white pulp and expanded red pulp were recorded.
Conclusion Arsenic exposure during pregnancy and lactation could result in abnormal morphology in multiple organs of offspring mice at weaning period, which might be the anatomical basis and pathogeny of chronic diseases in later life.
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