Evaluation of Gestational Alcohol Intake on the Hippocampus of an Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundChronic consumption of alcohol is a leading cause of death worldwide due to it effect on differs organs of the body. The need to better understand the impact of alcohol intake on Hippocampus was the motivation behind this study.MethodThe study was performed on (20) twenty pregnant wistar rats weighing between 142‐181g which were divided into two (2) groups of ten animals each; A (Control), B (Treated). Group A (control) were administered normal saline orally on a daily basis for seven (7) consecutive days while the Group B (treated) were administered 12% Acetone orally for seven (7) consecutive days. The animals went through neurobehavioral tests for fear and anxiety with the aid of an elevated plus maze. The Hippocampus tissues gotten after the study were determined for histological analysis (H&E, Silver Stains).ResultThere was observable reduction on the body weight on administration of Alcohol and a drastic reduction in the mean cell count and size of animals in group B (treated) compared to group A (control) showing a significant effect of alcohol on the hippocampal cell count of the animals. Histo‐architectural analysis of the hippocampus showed distortion of the dentate gyrus, disorientated molecular layer, scattered granule and glail cells in the treated groups (B) indicating the effect of the administered alcohol.ConclusionMeasure should be taking in reducing the consumption of alcohol if abstinence is not possible