High dose of formaldehyde exposure during pregnancy increases neutrophils lung influx evoked by ovalbumin in the offspring

Objective Considering that asthma might have their onset in the intrauterine life and the exposure to FA during pregnancy interferes in the immune system of offspring, here we hypothesized that high dose of FA exposure during pregnancy could to contribute for development and severity of asthma in the offspring. Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were submitted to FA inhalation (6.13 mg/m 3 , 1 h/day, 5 days/week, for 21 days) or vehicle (distillated water). After 30 days of birth, the offspring was sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA)-alum and challenged with aerosolized OVA (1 %, 15 min, 3 days). After 24 h the OVA challenge, the analyses were performed. Non-manipulated rats were used as basal parameters. Results Our data show that the exposure to high dose of FA during pregnancy predisposes the development of neutrophilic lung inflammation in the offspring, as observed by the profile of cells and cytokines in the lung. Conclusion This study contributes to the understanding of effects of pollution on the development of lung diseases.