The role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction was studied in pregnant goats experimentally intoxicated with cipó-preto (Tetrapterys multiglandulosa A.Juss.). Twelve animals were distributed in three groups, each one with four pregnant goats. Group I was fed 10g/kg of live weight and group II was fed 20g/kg of live weight and group III was used as control. Although apoptosis occurred in placental cells of all the animals, morphometric analyses demonstrated that goats fed with cipó-preto showed higher apoptotic indices than controls. However no difference could be detected between groups I and II. Different amounts of the plant were not a determinant factor to increase the intensity of apoptosis in the placental tissue, although the final result was fetal death and/or abortion at different moments. Intense apoptosis during the early stage of pregnancy may be detrimental for the normal development and function of the placenta and may help to explain the fetal death and abortion observed. Therefore Tetrapterys multiglandulosa is toxic to pregnant goats when ingested at 10 or 20g/kg of live weight during six or two weeks, respectively.
placenta; apoptosis; cipó-preto; Tetrapterys multiglandulosa
