Metallothionein expression in Helicobacter-infected pregnant mice and their fetuses and pups.

Metallothionein (MT) expression was investigated in pregnant mice infected with H. pylori or H. felis and their fetuses and pups. Mice, healthy or infected with H. pylori or H. felis (n = 18/group), were sacrificed 2 weeks after impregnation or 4 weeks postpartum. Pups were sacrificed as fetuses, after birth, or at ages 11 or 28 days. Whole fetuses, stomachs, small intestines, and livers were assayed for MT. MT was increased (P<0.05) by two- and threefold in fetuses from H. pylori- and H. felis-infected mothers, respectively, compared to control fetuses. Stomach MT of H. felis-infected pregnant mice, and newborns and 28-day pups from H. felis-infected mothers, was elevated (P<0.05) twofold compared to that of control mice and pups. Liver MT was decreased (P<0.05) in H. felis-infected mice 4 weeks postpartum (18%) and in their 11-day (69%) and 28-day (53%) pups, while small intestinal MT was decreased in H. felis-infected pregnant mice (17%), H. felis-infected mice 4 weeks postpartum (19%), and their 11-day pups (35%), compared to control mice. H. felis infection altered MT levels of pregnant mice, their fetuses and pups, and mice postpartum, which may be a response to the marked inflammation.