Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Seed Oil Supports Healthy Gestation in Wistar Rats.

Appropriate maternal nutrition is essential during gestation to ensure the optimal health and well-being of both the mother and the developing foetus. Since pumpkins are regarded as one of the best sources of essential bioactive compounds necessary for growth and maintenance, there is a need to evaluate the effect on gestation. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of Pumpkin Seed Oil (PSO) on gestation using Wistar rats as a model. Thirty Wistar rats (15 females, 15 males for mating) were used. Proestrus females were paired with males at 1:1 ratio. Gestational day (GD) 0 = presence of spermatozoa in vaginal lavage of mated proestrus females. Mated rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (control) received no treatment, while Group B and Group C received 500 and 1000 mg/kg PSO, respectively, via oral gavage from GD 6 to 19. On GD 20, laparotomy was done to assess foetal weight, foetal crown-rump length (FCRL), number of live pups/litter size, total implantation sites, placental weights, post-implantation loss, and the foeto-placental weight ratio. Although no significant (p > 0.05) differences occurred in most of the parameters between the test groups (groups B and C) and control group (group A), results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in litter size in 1000 mg/kg PSO-treated rats (group C) compared with the control. Post-implantation loss was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in test groups relative to the control. It is therefore concluded that PSO supports healthy gestation at the doses used in this study.