The effects of mint tea (Mentha spicata labiatae) consumed during pregnancy on postnatal morphometric development

Abstract

To investigate the effects of mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea consumed during pregnancy on prenatal maternal weight, length of pregnancy and morphometric development of pups in postnatal period. Twelve female (7 in mint tea group and 5 controls) and 6 male (used for mating) Wistar albino rats weighing 190-210 g were used in the study. Throughout the pregnancy, the mint tea group was given 4 ml of mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea at the same time every day and the control group was given 4 ml of commercial drinking water by gavage. Weights of pregnant rats in both groups were measured three times a week throughout the pregnancy. After the pups were born, morphometric growth parameters pertaining to the body, cranium, thorax and limbs were measured during newborn and lactation periods and adulthood. Pregnant rats in the MT group gained less weight during gestation than the control rats. Morphometric parameters were measured on a total of 66 pups born to rats in both groups (46 pups in the MT group; 20 pups in the control group and measurements of pups born to rats in the MT group were smaller than the control group (p<0.05). Morphometric parameters measured after six weeks showed a significant difference between females in the MT and control groups, with the females in the MT group having smaller measurements (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in morphometric parameters between males in the MT and control groups. Mint tea consumption during pregnancy has a negative effect on maternal weight gain and certain postnatal morphometric parameters, more prominently in female progenies. Therefore mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea consumption during pregnancy calls for caution.