Studies on the role of zinc in parturition in the rat

• Published in: Biochemical journal Vol. 210; no. 3; pp. 761 - 767
• Main Authors: Bunce, G E, Wilson, G R, Mills, C F, Klopper, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 15-03-1983
• Subjects: 20-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase; 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - metabolism; Animals; Dinoprost; Eating; Edetic Acid - pharmacology; Female; Fetus - physiology; Gestational Age; Gonadal Steroid Hormones - blood; Growth; Labor, Obstetric; Ovary - drug effects; Ovary - enzymology; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Zinc - blood; Zinc - deficiency; Zinc - metabolism
• ISSN: 0264-6021; 1470-8728
• DOI: 10.1042/bj2100761

1. Pregnant rats were fed either low (less than 1 p.p.m.) Zn or control (40 p.p.m. Zn) diets from day 10 of gestation. They were killed at intervals during the last 96 h preceding the normal time for onset of parturition, and differences in plasma progesterone, oestradiol-17 beta and ovarian 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were assessed. 2. Gestation was prolonged in Zn-deficient rats. 3. Although the preparturient decline in plasma progesterone began at the same time in all groups, at term, plasma progesterone concentration in Zn-deficient rats remained significantly higher than in normal females. 4. Induction of ovarian 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was delayed by about 8 h by Zn deficiency. This delay was not observed if prostaglandin F2 alpha was injected previously. 5. The results suggest a Zn-dependent step(s) in uterine synthesis and/or release of prostanoids.