Copper deficiency and persistence of the ductus arteriosus.
An experimental model using rats is described, in which a state of copper deficiency was produced in pregnant dams and their offspring. In 100% of the neonates from the copper-deficient group (10/10), 20% (2/10) from the control group, and 40% (4/10) from the pair-fed group, the ductus arteriosus was found to remain patent. These figures were highly significant in statistical terms (X2 test; p less than 0.0009). The possible physiopathology of the persistence of the ductus arteriosus in copper-deficient neonates is discussed.
Alliende Gonzales
F
F
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Villa Elízaga
I
I
Antillón Klüssmann
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D004373:Ductus Arteriosus / Q000002:abnormalities; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000209:etiology; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D003300:Copper; D002784:Cholesterol; D007501:Iron