Tityus bahiensis scorpion venom injected to dams during pregnancy affects some cytokines of fetuses

Abstract

Due to the high incidence of scorpion stings in Brazil, pregnant women are among the possible victims. Cytokines are important during the pregnancy, and scorpion venoms can change their release. We evaluated the levels of some cytokines in the fetuses after the treatment of pregnant rats with the Tityus bahiensis scorpion venom. The concentration of some of them is altered and can be responsible for the effects previously observed on innate reflexes, and the physical and behavioral development of the offspring.

Keywords: Cytokines; Fetuses; Pregnancy; Scorpion venom; Tityus bahiensis.