ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2014), Volume 2, Issue 6, 254-266 254 Journal homepage: http://www.journalijar.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH RESEARCH ARTICLE In-utero exposure to ripe Carica papaya seed resulted in postnatal outcomes from only first and second trimesters in rats O.T. OYELOWO 1 , Y. RAJI 2 , A.F. BOLARINWA 2 1. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria 2.Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Manuscript Info Abstract Manuscript History: Received: 15 April 2014 Final Accepted: 23 May 2014 Published Online: June 2014 Key words: Carica papaya seed, somatic landmarks, anogenital index, pregnancy *Corresponding Author O.T. OYELOWO Limited information is available on the effect of ripe Carica papaya seed on postnatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine its effect on pregnancy outcome, postnatal growth, somatic landmarks, and anogenital index (AGI) in offspring of rats exposed to the extract during three trimesters as well as a pretreatment group. Pregnant rats were randomly distributed into five experimental groups: Control = administered olive oil (vehicle); Pretreatment = administered 50mg/kg of chloroform extract of Carica papaya seed (CECS)extract for 7days (before mating to complete at least an oestrus cycle); D7 = administered 50mg/kg of the extract from gestation day 1- 7 (first trimester); D14= administered 50mg/kg of the extract from GD 1- 14 (second trimester); D21= administered 50mg/kg of the extract from GD 1- 21 (third trimester). Pregnancy outcomes observed were length of gestation, litter size, litter birth weight, stillbirth incidences. The pre-implantation and post-implantation losses were also calculated. Offspring postnatal developments and somatic landmarks were also observed while the AGI was calculated. Data were analysed using, ANOVA and Student’s t -test at p=0.05. Treatment with CECS during pregnancy: increased post-implantation loss in the third trimester; increased litter birth weight and increased post-natal weights occurred in the pretreatment, first, and second trimesters; while delayed somatic landmark in age of eye opening occurred in offspring of first and second trimester treated rats and delayed age of fur appearance occurred in offspring from second trimester rats while an earlier onset of fur appearance occurred in offspring of first trimester exposed rats. Treatment did not affect the AGI on postnatal day 4 in the offspring exposed to the extract at pretreatment and first trimester of pregnancy. The achieved results indicate that caution should be taken when recommending the plant extract during pregnancy as abortions could occur if the extract is used throughout pregnancy even if they are from ripe fruits. Copy Right, IJAR, 2014,. All rights reserved. INTRODUCTION List of abbreviations CECS= chloroform extract of Carica papaya seed, AGI= anogenital index, GD= gestation day, PND= postnatal day Papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed has been identified to have anti-fertility, anti-implantation as well as abortificient properties in female albino rats (Adebiyi et al., 2002, Oderinde et al., 2002, Raji et al., 2005). These scientific claims however have not affected the perception of people in Nigeria, towards its consumption either as food or as medication even in pregnancy. A study from the Northern part of Nigeria revealed that the fermented