Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of dimenhydrinate (DMH) and ondansetron, used as antiemetics during pregnancy, on the length of gestation, maternal weight gain during gestation and postnatal morphometric parameters of pups.

Material and Methods: Thirty female Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Three groups comprising 10 rats each were studied: Group 1: control group; Group 2: DMH group; and Group 3: ondansetron group. Rats were impregnated and administered 115 mg/kg/day intramuscular, DMH group, or 10 mg/ kg/day intraperitoneal, ondansetron group. The parameters pertaining to the cranium, thorax and limbs were measured between newborn and adulthood.

Results: The increase in mean morphometric parameters during the postnatal period in the DMH group was less than the control group,whereas that in the ondansetron group exceeded the controls (p<0.05). Moreover, when data obtained between weeks 7 and 11 were analyzed for males and females separately, morphometric parameters increased at a slower rate in the DMH than the control group and morphometric parameters increased at a higher rate in the ondansetron than the control group in either sex (p<0.05).

Conclusion: DMH and ondansetron used during gestation affect weight gain during gestation, and morphometric development of pups during newborn and lactation periods and adulthood.