Aim: 

Pregnancy is a condition that shows a great susceptibility to oxidative stress, with production of (ROS) and increase of iron released from iron-sulfur clusters. This work aims to assess in animal models of Sprague-Dowley rats ( 17-24 weeks of age) the relationship between stress induced by pregnancy and some specific parameters of oxidative stress such as increased peroxilic products in plasma membranes, a greater haemolysis susceptibility of erythrocytes (RBC); increased blood levels of methemoglobin (MetHb).

Methods: 

Oxidative stress on erythrocytes is induced by AAPH (2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride). The degradation of membrane lipids is obtained by determination the MDA-TBA (malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid) derivatives. The oxidation products of haemoglobin were made by spectrophotometric assay at 630 nm. The morphological changes of erythrocytes are highlighted by phase contrast microscopy.

Results: 

The data show that pregnancy is associated with oxidative stress, the increase in lipid degradation products, haemolysis susceptibility, MetHb levels, RBC morphological alterations as observed by phase contrast microscopy.

Conclusion: 

On the basis of obtained data it is assumed that the rearrangement of vascular network and capillary blood flow induced by pregnancy, promote high shear stress action on RBCs. This in turn increases lipid degradation and haemolytic susceptibility of RBC, affecting their biophysical properties.