Effect of buthus occitanus tunetanus envenomation on rat parturition

Abstract EN

The aim of this work was to evaluate the scorpion envenomation effects on parturition process of rats.

Four groups of pregnent rats were used.

The two first-groups received a sub-lethal single dose of crude venom of Buthus occitanus tunetanus (bot) at tlie 22nd day of pregnancy by intraperitoneal (i.p.) Injection.

Group I was left until delivery, and served to notify intoxication symptoms related to pregnancy.

The group II was used for in vivo electromyographic study of.nterine contractility.

Group III and IV.

had received a saline solution at 0.9 % NaCl and served as controls for group I and II.

At the end of electromyographic recording (group II and IV), uterine tissues were prepared for light microscopy observation.

Group I manifested a vaginal bleeding after the venom injection.

Their foetal delivery was delayed compared to controls (group III).

The electromyographic study revealed that the number and frequency of bursts were significantly increased in envenomed rats.

Few oedema and fiber dissociation were observed in uterine myometrium of envenomed rats.

It was concluded that, scorpion bot envenomation may induce a dynamic dystocia by disturbing the uterine motility m pregnant rats.