Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Salt is the major environmental factor for a lot of hypertension problems. The effect of different salt consumption during prenatal period has been noticed little. In this study, the role of nutrition with different salt concentrations on BP, tissue changes were studied and NA and aldosterone level in next generation were evaluated.

Method: Eight groups of rat, six in each group, (one male and five female) having 200±20 grams of weight were selected, salt solutions were prepared in concentrations 0.5, 1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2 percent. Rats were deprived of drinkable water and above-mentioned salt solutions were given to test groups during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation period. Control group used tap water of Isfahan and one another of test group used distilled water as potable water during these period. All groups were fed with same diet and all other living conditions for all groups were alike. Birth weight, weights and BP in third months, tissue changes, NA and aldosterone levels were studied.

Results: Using 0.5 and 1% salt solution as potable water did not affect SBP and DBP of next generation significantly, additionally birth weight and weight in third months in comparison with control group show an increase, but SBP and DBP in-groups, whose their mothers used higher salt solution during pregnancy increased significantly, additionally vascular response to epinephrine increased and vascular response to actylecholine decreased and cardiac hypertrophy was observed. Serum sodium level and salt appetite increased in these groups, but aldosterone level decreased.

Discussion: NA necessity increases during pregnancy, innate tendency to consume excessive amount of salt during pregnancy was shown in most species of animals. Nutrition with sufficient sodium during pregnancy in animals give birth to more and healthy infants, but nutrition with excessive amount of salt creates harmful effect.