Maternal copper supplementation protects the neonatal rat lung against theadverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure

Maternal nicotine exposure interferes with the extracellular formation of t he connective tissue framework of the neonatal lung, a process that is depe ndent on copper-dependent lysyl oxidase. It has been shown that, during the phase of lung development associated with alveolarization, maternal nicoti ne exposure resulted in a reduction in the copper content and thus conceiva bly in the activity of lysyl oxidase of the neonatal lung. Therefore the ai ms of this study were (a) to determine the effects of maternal nicotine exp osure during gestation and lactation on neonatal lung development, and (b t o establish whether maternal copper supplementation during gestation and la ctation prevented the effect of maternal nicotine exposure on neonatal lung development. pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups: the con trol group received saline; the second group received 1 mg nicotine (kg bod yweight)(1) day(-1) subcutaneously; the third group received 1 mg copper (k g bodyweight)(-1) day(-1); and the fourth group received both nicotine and copper ill the same quantities as the previous two groups. Lung tissue of 1 4- and 42-day-old rat pups were processed for light microscopy. Maternal ni cotine exposure during gestation and lactation resulted in (a) decreased al veolar number, (b) reduced internal surface area and (c) increased alveolar volume. Copper supplementation during gestation and lactation prevented th e adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure during gestation and lactat ion on the development of the alveolar region of the rat lung.