Abstract

Seventy-five adult Wistar Albino rats were used in this experiment to detect the effect of MSG on fetus morphology, and pregnant rats’ behavioral, biochemecal, and neurological parameters. They were housed under standard laboratory conditions in plastic cages in a quiet environment with free access to food and water. They were randomly assigned into 4 groups of three replicates for each. Group (1) control, received normal saline. Groups (2, 3, and 4) received daily MSG orally at a dose of 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg respectively for a period of 20 days. There was a reduction in the mean number of fetuses /dam, an altered distribution of implantation, reduction in fetuses’ weight & length, besides some fetuses revealed morphological anomalies and skeletal defects at the 19th day of gestation. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of entrance and spontaneous alternations, increase in line crossing and rearing behaviors, elevation in serum ALT, AlP and creatinine, decrease in serum progesterone, increase in dopamine and glutamate levels (ng/mL) in brain tissues of MSG treated pregnant rats. So that, this study suggests that to diminish MSG in foods during pregnancy to to stay away from harmful effects on pregnant females behavior, brain tissue, and safe fetuses from deformity.

Key words: pregnant rat behavior, open field, Y maze, dopamine, and glutamate