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4985580 
Journal Article 
Effect of maternal exposure to Tityus bahiensis scorpion venom during lactation on the offspring of rats 
Martins, A; Nencioni, AL; Dorce, AL; Paulo, ME; Frare, EO; Dorce, VA 
2016 
1 
Reproductive Toxicology
ISSN: 0890-6238
EISSN: 1873-1708 
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 
OXFORD 
59 
147-158 
English 
26746106 
BCI:BCI201600365173 
Scorpion stings are a public health problem in Brazil and lactating women may be affected. We aimed to study the effects of Tityus bahiensis venom in the offspring of rats treated during lactation. Mothers received a subcutaneous injection of saline (1.0ml/kg) or venom (2.5mg/kg) or an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) (100μg/kg) on postnatal (PN) days 2 (PN2), 10 (PN10) or 16 (PN16). The offspring were evaluated during the childhood and adulthood. Pups showed a delay in physical and reflexological development, and a decrease in motor activity. Adults displayed low anxiety. There was an increase in the number of viable neuronal cells in hippocampal areas CA1 and CA4. The levels of IFN-γ (interferon-gamma) increased in the experimental groups. Several of the parameters analyzed showed important differences between the sexes. Thus, the scorpion venom affects the development in the offspring of mothers envenomed during the lactation.