October - December 2011, Volume 7, Issue 4

Karri S, Vanithakumari G

Anti-Implantation Activity of Methtrexate and Leucovorin in Albino Rats

Acta Endo (Buc) 2011, 7 (4): 463-474
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2011.463

Background. The loss of reproductive function is one of the mostimportant adverse effects of chemotherapy. Folic acid deficiency may be harmful in pregnancy. Hence, it is imperative to investigate if leucovorin (LCN), a folinic\r\nacid supplementation and withdrawal of MTX treatment facilitate maintenance of pregnancy in albino rats.\r\nAim. The aim of this study was to examine the role of leucovorin (LCN) and withdrawal of MTX treatment in the\r\nprotection of pregnancy at very early stage of pregnancy in MTX treated rats.\r\nAnimals and Methods. Rats with regular oestrous cycle were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) as follows: Control,\r\nMTXLD (low dose), MTXHD (high dose), MTXHD + LCN (leucovorin), and MTXHD + WD (withdrawal). Animals were treated intramuscularly (im) on days 1-5 of pregnancy. MTXHD treatment was withdrawn and female rats showing regular cycle were caged with male rats. Laparotomy was performed on day 8 of pregnancy to note the number of implantation sites. Rats were sacrificed on day 20.\r\nResults. MTX significantly reduced maternal weights, number of corpora lutea, and implantation sites. 100% foetal\r\nresorption was prevalent in MTX treated groups. LCN supplementation did not help maintain pregnancy. While approximately 45% foetal resorption was observed in\r\nwithdrawal group.

Keywords: albino rats, corporal lutea, foetal resorption, implantation,\r\nleucovorin, litter size, litter weight, maternal weight, methotrexate.

Correspondence: Karri Sritulasi, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu 641046, India, e-mail sritulasi@gmail.com