Title: The effect of Allium Sativum (Garlic) on Pregnancy, Fetal Weights, and Some Hematological Parameters in Albino Rats
Authors: Chidiebere .B. Ene, Chukwunonso .A.Oguonu, Paschal.U.Chime, Celestine. O.Ani, Matthew. J.Olasunkanmi, Francis U. Agu, Etim. B .Daniel. C.Nwachukwu, Anyaehie. B.Ugochukwu
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i7.97
Abstract
The amount of weight gained during pregnancy can affect the immediate and future health of a woman and her infant and could lead to complication such as hypertension in pregnancy. However, some studies has proposed some benefits of some of the antioxidants found in garlic in reducing the occurrence of hypertension in pregnancy, heart attack etc but there is paucity of information on the effect of garlic in pregnancy, fetal weights/sizes and hematological parameters and these suffixed our investigation of the effects of garlic on these parameters. The effect of Allium sativium (garlic) on pregnancy, fetal weights and some hematological parameters were investigated in albino rats of wistar strain. The animals were divided into four (4) groups A, B, C and D of ten (n=10) female rats each. Group A (control) was fed with normal rats chow and water ad libitium. Group B were induced to pregnancy and treated with aqueous AS extract, Group C (n=10) pregnant and received AS extract, Group D (n=10) non pregnant and received AS extract. Each of the rats baseline parameters were determined prior to induction of pregnancy followed by weekly assessment of the parameters. There were significant increase in the body weights (C>A>B>D) respectively. They were compared statistically with P<0.05 considered statistically difference. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the body weights of groups B, C and D compared with control group A. In the fasting blood glucose level (FBGL), there was a decrease in group B while group C did not show any significant increase/decrease and groups B, C and D were compared with group A and there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the groups. There was a significant increase in the RBC .It also, showed a statistical significant difference (P<0.05) between group A and C on the day 14 and 21 respectively. The WBC of all the groups showed a significant increase throughout the experimental period and there were significant difference (P<0.05) between groups B, C and D compared with A on day 14 and 21, respectively. The HBC of groups A and D increased significantly while group B did not show any significant increase/decreased and C decreased respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between groups C and D compared with A on day 14 and 21 respectively. There was significant increase in the PCV of groups A and D while groups B and C decreased significantly. There were significant differences between groups B, C and D compared to group A on day 14 and 21, respectively. Platelet counts decreased significantly in all the groups and there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the groups compared with A. Therefore, these results suggest that the consumption of garlic during pregnancy has a beneficial effect in the reduction of maternal/fetal weights and litter sizes and maintenance of the blood parameters including FBGL.
Keywords: Litter weights/sizes, blood glucose, hematological parameters.
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