Abstract
Background: Complications associated with alcoholism such as enduring growth retardation, especially during pregnancy, are serious health issues calling for lots of attention. Objectives: The study evaluated the effect of Tamarindus indica during prenatal ethanol (ET) exposure on pregnancy outcome and morphometric features of Wistar rat pups. Methodology: Twenty-four (24) pregnant timed Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=4); Group A received 2 ml (distilled water), Groups B and C were administered 200 mg/kg ethanol extract of Tamarindus indica pulp (EETI), and 300 mg/kg of Vitamin E respectively, Group D received 30%v/v (2 mg/kg) of ET, Group E received 30%v/v (2 mg/kg) of ET + 200 mg/kg EETI, while Group F was administered 30%v/v (2 mg/kg) of ET + 300 mg/kg of Vitamin E. All administrations were via the oral route and lasted for 7 days from prenatal day 7 to 14. On postnatal day (PoND) zero, physical observations were made and the total number of littered pups was counted. Morphometric studies involved the measurements of the crown-rump length (CRL), fore-limb length (FL), hind-limb length (HL), tail length (TL), and body weight (BW) of pups were made using digital vernier caliper and analytical balance. Result: Prenatal ET exposure interfered with the pregnancy outcome, CRL, FL, HL, TL, and BW measurement; while treatment with EETI and vitamin E was associated with marked improvement. Conclusion: The administration of EETI during prenatal ethanol exposure was associated with significant improvements CRL, FL, HL, TL, and BW pups. Therefore, more attention should be given to the important medicinal plant that could possibly reduce pregnancy complications associated with prenatal ethanol exposure.
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