In Utero and Lactation Exposure of Mice to Pan Masala: Effect on Dams and Pregnancy Outcome

Pan masala, a chewing mixture, is a popular alternate of areca nut/tobacco/betal quid in various parts of the world. In view of embryotoxic effects of areca nut and tobacco, it is hypothesized that in utero and lactational exposure to pan masala plain (PMP, containing areca nut as major ingredient), and pan masala with tobacco (PMT) can also have similar effects. To investigate this, pregnant female Swiss albino mice were treated with 3 and 6% of PMP and PMT from gestation day (GD) 0, 6, and 14 until lactation. They were weighed during pregnancy and lactation. At parturition, pups were counted, weighed, and measured. At weaning, dams were sacrificed for implantation count. Three percent and 6% PMT considerably reduced female fertility. Gestation length was lower in all the pan masala-treated mice, which was significant at 3 and 6% PMT treatment from GD 0. Pups born to pan masala-treated dams had significantly low birth weight at 3 and 6% PMT in GD 0 and GD 6, and 6% PMT in the GD 14 group. Sex ratio declined in the GD 0 pan masala treated group. Neonatal death was observed in all the pan masala treated groups from GD 0 and 6% of both PMP- and PMT-treated groups from GD 14 with respect to control. Weaning index was considerably altered in GD 0 and 14 pan masala treated groups. Postimplantation loss was considerably high in all the pan masala-treated groups. The data points toward the in utero and lactational fetotoxic effects of pan masala treatment, mainly PMT.