Alterations of the immune function during the pregnancy are not well understood. To assess the influence of pregnancy on the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system twenty adult female rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=10) - control, Group 2 (n=10) - pregnant rats. The assessment of the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system was by the uptake of sulphur colloid labeled with Tc99m by the reticuloendothelial system organs as well as to assess the permanence of the radio isotope in blood clots. The weights and radioactive levels of the samples were measured. Histologic analyses of these organs were performed as well. The results were compared using the Student t-test, with significance at p<0.05. The scintigraphic values were higher in the liver followed by spleen and lung. The blood clot presented with only a low amount of radiation. The pregnant rats registered lower radiation levels in the liver and higher in the lung when compared with the control group. The histo-architecture of the studied organs did not show any alterations. Pregnancy reduces the phagocytic function of the liver but increases the role of the reticuloendothelial system function of the lung.
Pregnancy; reticuloendothelial system; 99mTc sulphur colloid
