[Effects of Buthus occitanus tunetanus envenomation on an experimental murine model of gestation]

C R Biol. 2007 Dec;330(12):890-6. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2007.09.001. Epub 2007 Oct 23.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Scorpion envenoming is less studied in pregnant victims. In this work, the effect of Buthus occitanus tunetanus on parturition in late pregnancy was studied in an animal model. Four groups of six primigravid female rats, each one at the 22nd day of pregnancy, were used. The first two groups had received an intra-peritoneal injection of 500 microg/kg of Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom or a physiological saline solution and left until foetal delivery. Then, the time elapsed until the first pup delivery and that separating the first and latest ones were measured. The other two groups served for the uterine electrophysiological activity exploration. Rats were anaesthetized, artificially ventilated and had received an intraperitoneal injection of 500 microg/kg of Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom or a physiological saline solution. Our results showed a significant increase of the latency to foetal delivery, labour time, and uterine contractile activity in envenomed rats compared to controls. Such signs are usually seen in dynamic dystocia. It was concluded that Buthus occitanus tunetanus envenoming might induce a dynamic dystocia, when it occurred in late pregnancy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Coitus
  • Female
  • Male
  • Parturition / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Scorpion Venoms / toxicity*
  • Spermatozoa

Substances

  • Buthus tamulus insect toxin
  • Scorpion Venoms