Protective Effect of Olive Oil Against Teratogenecity Induced by Mancozeb in Albino Rats

Aim: this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) against teratogenicity of the fungicide mancozeb. Methods: after pregnancy confirmation, 32 pregnant rats were divided into 4-groups (n=8). The 1st group orally administered tap water (-ve control), the 2nd group (+ve control) was administered EVOO (0.5ml/dam) from the1st to 20th day of pregnancy. The 3rd and the 4th groups were administered 200 mg/kg mancozeb during the period of organogenesis, from the 6th to 15th day of pregnancy. The 4th group received the mentioned dose of EVOO prior to the pesticide administration. Cesarean section was performed on day 20 of pregnancy and the maternal and fetal parameters were recorded. Results: mancozeb induced maternal toxicity manifested as lower body weight gain of dams, increased number of late resorption sites/litter in comparison with the control group and mancozeb group pretreated with EVOO. Mancozeb evoked a decrease in fetal body weight, altered sex ratio (M/F) as well as increased incidence of fetal external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. Treatment with virgin oil reduced the congenital malformations. Conclusively, the present study elucidates the protective role of EVOO as a result of antioxidant activity which scavenges the reactive oxygen species which induced cytotoxicity and increased prenatal mortalities.