Abstract
There is increasing evidence that Vitamin E regulates prostaglandin synthesis. This suggests a mechanism for the many anecdotal reports of benefit from Rx with Vitamin E in cases of infertility and abortion. Results of preliminary studies in rats with timed pregnancies (9 hr mating exposure-vaginal plug pregnancy criterion),as modified by the administration of high doses of oral and parenteral Vitamin E from days 16 to 21,are reported. Control rats received no E. Normal gestation in rats lasts 22.0 days.In 16 E rats, mean gestation was prolonged by 7.5 hrs over that of 13 control rats (22 days-8.5 hrs versus 22 days-1 hr). This is equivalent to a 4.5 day delay in terms of a 40 week gestation. 2 instances of prolonged labor in E Rx rats were observed. Gestation in 2 E Rx rats was extended to 23.0 days without evidence of toxicity. In 2 other E Rx rats, 7 and 10 pups were born after gestations of 23 days-6 hrs & 23 days-10 hrs respectively. Both litters were of poor viability. 4 pups were nearly dead at delivery. Several others were pale and apneic. The right side of the heart was strikingly distended in one moribund pup. All other litters from E Rx rats were vigorous and completely comparable to controls. Sera for progesterone & prostaglandin analyses were collected. E levels in E Rx rats ranged from 3.5 to 6.0 mg%. In control rats the serum E level tended to fall off one to two days before delivery,which may have physiologic significance.
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Johnson, L., Beirao, M., Neff, D. et al. 187 VITAMIN E, PREGNANCY DURATION AND QUALITY OF LABOR. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 395 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00192
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00192