Trace Elements and Anti - Oxidant Status in Gravid BALB/c Mice Infected with Plasmodium yoelii Malaria Parasites at Different Gestational Periods

Abstract

There are extensive literature on the adverse effects of malaria parasites on pregnancy outcomes, but the basis of this observation is un-conclusive. We investigated the effects of Plasmodium yoelii malaria on the levels of trace elements and total antioxidants in gravid BALB/c mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii at first (early), second (middle) and third (late) trimesters. The mice were grouped into, viz: Gravid mice infected at day 3-post plug (I3PP) representing 1st trimester, gravid mice infected at day 7 post plug (I7PP) representing 2nd trimester, gravid mice infected at day 11-post plug (I11PP) representing 3rd trimester, gravid not infected (GNI), infected non-gravid (ING) and non-gravid non-infected mice (NGNI). The highest % parasitemia was observed in the group of mice infected at 3rd trimester. None of the mice infected at 1st and 2nd trimesters carried the pregnancy to term. The % PCV was lowest in gravid mice infected in 1st trimester compared with other gravid infected mice. At day 5 and day 9 post infection, the levels of Mn, Mg, Zn, total antioxidants, Cu, Fe and Se were raised in all gravid infected mice compared with non-gravid non-infected mice. It may be concluded from this study that P. yoelii malaria is most severe in mice infected at the early stage of gravidity (1st trimester) and that raised levels of trace elements and anti-oxidants in P. yoelii infected pregnant mice could be a result of oxidative stress and free radical burden.