Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content in women’s blood during the third trimester of uncomplicated and complicated gestation

Abstract

In modern realities of adverse effects of ecosystem on human health, WHO experts have proposed a program of research “Human reproduction”, whose main task is to study the negative impact of environmental factors on the generative function [1-3]. Under the high technogenic loading conditions, the problem of harmful influence of heavy metals in combination with the imbalance of trace elements on woman’s organisms, which lead to a decrease in adaptation reserves with the further development of changes in most systems of the organism, is urgent [4-6]. Recent studies have already identified a correlation between the elevated levels of lead in the blood and the development of threatened abortion and premature birth syndrome [7,8]; excess of lead causes the miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, chronic fetal hypoxia, birth defects in newborn babies [9,10]. High levels of cadmium in the placenta adversely affect the anthropometric data of the newborn – weight, height, chest circumference [4,11]. Copper plays a role in the mobilization of iron to plasma from the tissue stores and copper deficiency during embryonic and foetal development has been found to cause numerous gross structural and biochemical abnormalities. It has been reported that more than 50% of human conception fail to implant and of those implanted, approximately 30% fail to reach term due to copper deficit. Lower plasma copper levels have been found in case of chronic intrauterine hypoxia and fetal hypotrophy, internal organ abnormalities [7,12]. Deficiency of zinc as an essential trace element with wide range of functions including the synthesis of enzymes leads to pregnancy wastage, congenital abnormalities, placental abruption, pregnancy induced hypertension, miscarriage and low birth weight [13,14]. Lower plasma zinc concentrations during the pregnancy is associated with preeclampsia, threatened abortion, premature birth syndrome, birth defects, circulatory disorders, the immune response impairments, and disorders of psychological development [15,16]. In this regard, it is relevant to study the effects of toxic and trace elements on pregnancy through the investigation of their content in women’s blood during uncomplicated and complicated gestation, with further elaboration of methodological algorithms for physiological monitoring of pregnancy for the timely implementation of preventive measures. The aim of this research was to evaluate lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content in women’s blood during III trimester of pregnancy and to assess the correlation between their levels and gestational complications.