Received: May 2, 2007.

Accepted: July 2, 2007.

Abstract published online: August 8, 2007.

Full paper published online: March 8, 2008.

In vivo EFFECTS OF Buthus occitanus tunetanus AND Androctonus australis garzoni SCORPION VENOMS ON PREGNANT AND NON-PREGNANT RATS

HMED B. N. (1), SERRIA H. T. (1), SELMA C. (1), ZOUHEIR S. (1), TAREK R. (2), MONDHER K. (3), ZAKARIA B. (4), MOUNIR Z. K. (1)

(1) Laboratory of Pharmacology, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Tunisia; (2) Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Tunisia; (3) Service of Communitarian Medicine and Epidemiology, CHU Hédi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia; (4) Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia.

ABSTRACT: Scorpion envenomation in pregnant victims has been scarcely studied. Accidents with venomous animals can induce serious injuries for both mothers and embryos. In the current work, the lethality of Buthus occitanus tunetanus (Bot) and Androctonus australis garzoni (Aag) venoms was assessed in pregnant and non-pregnant murine rat models. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined following the Spearman-Karber method. Our results showed great similarities of envenomation symptoms between term-pregnant and nonmated rats. An unusual vaginal bleeding was also seen in pregnant rats envenomed with Bot and Aag venoms. Our findings suggest that gestation may increase the venoms toxicity in rats.

KEY WORDS: scorpion venom, Buthus occitanus tunetanus, Androctonus australis garzoni, in vivo effects, gravid rats.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

BEN NASR HMED, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine de Sfax. Rue Magida Boulila 3029 Sfax, Tunisia. Phone: (216) 74247036 . Fax: (216) 246 217. Email: hamdoscie@voila.fr.