Pregnancy and progeny in rats treated with the pyrrolizidine alkaloid fulvine

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids are naturally-occurring plants toxins which are considered significant in the etiology of certain liver diseases, particularly in some tropical and sub-tropical regions. Fulvine, a hepatotoxic alkloid present in the medicinal herb Crotolaria fulva, was observed to be fetotoxic and highly teratogenic in rats. The occurrence of fetal resorptions showed a dose-effect relationship. The highest incidence of developmental defects was induced by fulvine at a dose-level of 80 mg/kg which in other studies produced significant chromosomal damage. Microscopic examination of fetal liver, following maternal exposure of fulvine, did not reveal hepatic lesions.(Summary)

Birth weight in Jamaican twins

The birth weights of infants delivered in 100 uncomplicated twin pregnancies in Jamaica are discussed in relationship to gestational age, maternal age, parity of the mother, infant's sex, zygosity and birth order (AU)

An ultrastructural study of the liver in experimental veno-occlusive disease - abstract

Fulvine, a toxic constituent of the herb Crotolaria fulva, has been incriminated as the causative factor of veno-occlusive disease of the liver (V.O.D.), which is endemic in Jamaica. In an attempt to elucidate further the pathogenesis of the disease, hepatic veno-occlusive lesions were induced in Wistar rats following treatment with fulvine (5-20 mg/kg body weight). The livers of these animals were examined with an electron-microscope 24, 48 or 72 hours later, using standard techniques. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was reduced 24 hours following treatment and the channel system disrupted into a system of vesticles. After 48 hours, smooth endoplasmic reticulum showed considerable increase and displayed progressive dilation and balooning. Mitochondrial changes (swelling, decrease of the internal matrix density and loss of cristae) were detected. Liver cells revealed degenerative cytoplasm and damaged cell membranes. Sinusoidal walls appeared intermittently naked, and swollen microvilli projected into dilated perisinusoidal spaces. The alterations became pronounced 72 hours after treatment. Fulvine caused a decrease in the number of mitochondria, further disorganization of mitochondrial structure, and conspicuous nuclear changes. The sinusoids, lined by swollen endothelial cells and necrotic hepatocytes, appeared distended with erythrocytes. Following breakdown of the space of Disse, the hepatocytes were usually obsreved to be in direct contact with blood. These early ultrastructural findings in the pathogenesis of V.O.D. support our previously reported histo-chemical observations of differences in hepatic enzymatic activities and is indicative of primary hepatocellular damages. The venovascular damage. The venovascular changes represent, in our opinion, a more advanced stage in the pathogenesis of the disease, and as such there is no primary veno-occlussive process (AU)

Observations on gestational age in a series of Jamaican births

Analysis of 509 single, normal, uncomplicated live births at the University Hospital in Jamaica demonstrated a bimodal distribution for gestational ages, peaking at 38 and 40 weeks. The distribution was found to be negatively skewed. The mean gestational age was 39.39 weeks ñ S.D. 1.42 weeks. The median was 39.59 weeks. Maternal age and parity had a negligible influence on gestational age; infant's sex had no effect (AU)

Growth pattern of Jamaican infants at birth - abstract

Anthropometric measurements of the newborn are important indices of foetal growth and maturity. A prospective study was undertaken at the University Hospital of the West Indies to provide such data, which are not readily available. The weight, head circumference and length of a consecutive series of babies were determined and correlations were examined. The mean maternal age was 25.6 ñ 8.2 years and the average period of gestation was 39.3 ñ 1.4 weeks. The mean birth weight of Jamaican infants was 3143 ñ 432 gm. The difference between the mean male and female birth weights was statistically significant. Prematurity (less or equal to 2500 gm) accounted for 8.27 percent of the babies, whereas 2.95 percent) weighed over 4,000 gm. The cumulative distribution polygon indicates that 50th percentile is 3100 gm. The mean crown-rump and crown-heel measurements of the infants were 32.41 ñ 2.87 cm and 50.87 ñ 2.82 cm. Head circumference was strongly correlated with birth weight and crown-heel lengths. Male infants were found to be heavier and longer, and to have a larger head circumference than female infants. The difference between the head circumference of male and female babies at birth was statistically significant. These established growth patterns of Jamaican infants at birth provide a basis for further anthropometric investigations, which are in progress (AU)

Effect of intra-amniotic administration of hypoglycin B on foetal development in the rat

Hypoglycin B, a toxic hypoglycaemic constituent contained in the seed of the plant, Blighia sapida, is highly teratogenic in the rat when administering intra-amniotically on day 14 of gestation. Major foetal abnormalities comprise malformations of the cranio-facial region and of the limbs. (summary)

Histochemistry of the liver in experimentally induced veno-occlusive disease - abstract

Ingestion of the herb Crotolaria fulva in the form of a bush tea is believe to cause veno-occlusive disease of the liver. The mechanism by which the herb exerts its deleterious effects is poorly understood. The present histochemical investigation was undertaken inorder to correlate biochemical distrubances with liver lesions. Extensive haemorrhagic necrosis and veno-vascular changes were induced in rat liver after intragastric administration of fulvine, the toxic alkaloidal constituent of Crotolaria fulva. Glycogen loss was marked in all regions of the liver lobule. Lipid droplets were seen widely distributed in the parenchymal cells. The activity of cytochrome oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase was decreased: The activity of glutamate dehydrogenase was increased. The activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was moderately increased in the peripheral zone of the lobule, but comparatively weaker in the central region. The activity of acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase showed a moderate increase in all experiments. Alkaline phosphatase gave a comparatively stronger reaction. The activity of ATP'ase was moderately reduced. These differences in hepatic enzyme activities suggest functional impairment of the cell membrane, mitochondria, lysosomes and endoplasmatic reticulum of the liver cells. It might be postulated that the cells of the liver parenchyma are primarily damaged in veno-occlusive disease of the liver (AU)

A note on the head circumference of Jamaican babies

The head circumference of a sample of Jamaican babies was recorded immediately after birth and classified according to gestational age, parity of the mother and sex of the child. The mean value (33.9 cm) was smaller than the same measurement recorded in other racial groups. The mean head circumference of male babies was significantly greater than that of female infants, and the mean head circumference of infants born to primiparous mothers was significantly greater than those born to multiparous mothers. Head circumference was strongly correlated with birth weight and crown-heel measurements. (summary)

Birth weight in Jamaican babies

Birth weights of Jamaican babies were recorded and classified according to gestational age, parity of the mother, and sex of the child.(AU)

Length of Jamaican babies at birth

The crowd-rump and crown-heel lengths of 509 babies born at the University Hospital of the West Indies are classified according to gestational age, parity of the mother and sex of the child. The mean crown-heel length is 50.87 cm. with a standard deviation of 2.82; the mean crown-rump length is 32.41 cm. with a standard deviation of 2.87. There was no significant difference in both the crown-heel and crown-rump lengths of babies of primipara and multipara mothers. A statistically significant difference in crown-heel length between mature male and female babies was present, but not for crown-rump length of mature male and female babies (AU)