Teratogenic Effect Of Beer And Palm Wine On The Histology Of The Fetal Kidney Of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Palm wine and beer are two alcoholic beverages that play an important role in local ceremonies in Nigeria. This study was to compare the teratogenic effect of maternal administration of various doses of beer and fermented palm wine on the histological features of the fetal kidney of wistar rats. The percentage of alcohol in beer was experimentally found to be 6.1%. The estimated alcohol content in five days fermented palm wine was 4.5%. Twenty five female rats weighing 180 – 200g were used for this study and were caged with sexually matured male rats. The presence of tailed structures in the vaginal smear obtained the following morning confirmed coitus and the sperm positive day was designated as day zero of pregnancy. Oral doses of 4ml, 8ml of beer and 4ml, 8ml of five days fermented palm wine was administered respectively from 7 to 13 day of gestation. On the 20 day of gestation, the rats were sacrificed and the fetuses removed. The kidneys were removed, fixed in Boiun’s fluid, stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and examined under the microscope.Histological result showed marked distortion of normal kidney architecture in the treated groups, particularly those whose mothers received 8ml of beer and 8ml of 5days fermented palm wine. Our results suggest that consumption of beer and fermented palm wine may be nephrotoxic to the developing kidney.