Chronic use of indinavir in albino rat pregnancy (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia): biological assay.

Aim:  Assess possible adverse effects of the chronic use of indinavir during pregnancy in a rat model. Methods:  40 pregnant EOM-1 albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups of 10 animals each: a control (Ctr) group (without any handling) and three experimental groups (Exp 1, Exp 2 e Exp 3) which received indinavir 9, 27 e 81 mg/kg, respectively). Rats were treated by gavage once daily. The treatment period extended from day 0 until the 20th day of pregnancy. Body weights were recorded on days 0, 7, 14 and 20. At term, the rats were sacrificed, and the implantation sites, number of live and dead fetuses and placentas, resorptions, fetal and placental weights were recorded. The fetuses were evaluated for external abnormalities under a stereomicroscope. Results:  Weight gain during pregnancy did not differ significantly between the groups. Average weight gains between the 7th and 20th day were 7.95–42.70 g; 7.22–45.27 g; 7.12–46.26 g and 8.05–42.29 g in groups Ctr, Exp 1, Exp 2 and Exp 3, respectively. All other parameters assessed did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions:  Chronic use of various dosages of indinavir during pregnancy was not associated significant adverse outcomes.