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Purpose: To evaluate the contamination index of metals and pesticides in pregnant women, and to relate this to perinatal outcomes., Methods: Descriptive, retrospective, exploratory study, developed from existing secondary data analyses at Level III maternity center. A total of 40 mothers with their newborns (NB), living in a rural area in Botucatu- Brazil and surrounding region. Blood samples from mothers and newborn were collected to determine the total contamination index for metals and pesticides. The concentrations of each metal and each pesticide were determined in blood samples of mothers and their newborns by Rudge's results. After obtaining these concentrations, the total contamination index in mother and NB was calculated, along with its correlation with clinical parameters of NB., Results: There was no correlation (p> 0.05) between maternal contamination index with NB clinical parameters, and NB contamination index versus NB clinical parameters., Conclusion: The maternal contamination index of metals and pesticides was not related to perinatal outcomes, but it could be used as baseline parameter in future toxicological studies, regarding to long-term toxic characteristics as persistent organic pollutants, its long half-lives, bioacumulative, and expected to impose serious health effects on humans.

Purpose: To analyze the physiological and biochemical measurements before, during and after pregnancy of healthy rats., Methods: Wistar adult females rats (n=8) were weighed and blood samples were obtained before, during and after pregnancy for biochemical determinations, chow intake, water consumption and milk production were evaluated. At day 10 postpartum, the rats were killed for weighing of organs and adipose tissues., Results: The results showed increase in body weight, serum insulin and ingestion of water and chow. At day 17 pregnancy, presented normal values in the OGTT. At days 7, 14 and 20 of pregnancy, there was increase in triglyceride levels. At term pregnancy, there was weight gain due to fetal growth. In the postpartum period presented reduced blood glucose levels. The glycemic means were reduced during and after pregnancy compared to after pregnancy. The triglyceride concentrations were increased before and during pregnancy in relation to after pregnancy. The total cholesterol levels presented no changes., Conclusion: The use of experimental animals is suitable for evaluation of metabolic changes because the profile of answers found in this study was similar to human profile, showing the relevance of translational research to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and possible treatment for diseases.

Purpose: To evaluate cigarette smoke exposure and/or diabetes association effects on the glycemia and liver glycogen levels of pregnant Wistar rats., Methods: 60 adult rats were randomly distributed into (n=10/group): non-diabetic exposed to filtered air (G1); non-diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke only before pregnancy (G2); non-diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke before and during pregnancy (G3); diabetic exposed to filtered air (G4); diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke only before pregnancy (G5), and diabetic exposed to cigarette smoke before and during pregnancy (G6). Glycemia was determined at days 0 and 21 of pregnancy. Liver samples were collected for liver glycogen determinations., Results: At day 21 of pregnancy, glycemia was higher in G5 and G6 compared to G4 group. G2 (2.43+/-0.43), G3 (3.20+/-0.49), G4 (2.62+/-0.34), G5 (2.65+/-0.27) and G6 groups (1.94+/-0.35) presented decreased liver glycogen concentrations compared to G1 (4.20+/-0.18 mg/100mg liver tissue) (p<0.05). G5 and G6 groups presented decreased maternal weight gain and litter weight., Conclusions: Severe diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure, alone or associated, caused impairment in liver glycogen storage at term pregnancy. Due to the fact that liver glycogen storages were considered determinant for glucose tolerance, it is relevant to point out a rigid clinical glycemic control and to stop smoking so earlier in pregnancy programming.