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Reproductive Sciences
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Effect of Maternal Raspberry Leaf Consumption in Rats on Pregnancy Outcome and the Fertility of the Female Offspring

Jill R. Johnson, PhD

the Reproductive Biology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

Emilija Makaji, BSc

the Reproductive Biology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Shirley Ho

the Reproductive Biology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Boya Xiong

the Reproductive Biology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Denis J. Crankshaw, PhD

the Reproductive Biology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Alison C. Holloway, PhD

the Reproductive Biology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, hollow{at}mcmaster.ca

Background. The use of herbal medicines by pregnant women is on the rise. However, there is limited information regarding the safety of these compounds during pregnancy. Therefore, the goal of this study was to explore the consequences of raspberry leaf use during gestation in Wistar rats. Methods. Female rats were randomly assigned to receive vehicle, raspberry leaf, or specific flavonoids in raspberry leaf (kaempferol or quercetin; 10 mg/kg per day) orally once breeding had been confirmed until parturition. We assessed pregnancy outcomes in the P generation and reproductive development/fertility in the F1 raspberry leaf—exposed female offspring. Results. Raspberry leaf use during pregnancy was associated with increased gestation length and accelerated reproductive development in the F1 offspring. Conclusions. Results from this study have shown for the first time that raspberry leaf use during pregnancy can have long-term consequences for the health of the offspring and raise concerns about the safety of this herbal preparation for use during pregnancy.

Key Words: Raspberry leaf • intrauterine exposure • pregnancy loss • puberty • transgenerational effects.

This version was published on June 1, 2009

Reproductive Sciences, Vol. 16, No. 6, 605-609 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1933719109332823
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