Histological Studies Of The Teratogenic Effects Of Camphor On The Developing Liver Of The Wistar Rats

Abstract

Histological studies of the teratogenic effects of camphor on the developing liver of the wistar rats. Annals Biomedical Sciences 2002;1:88-93.This study, carried out at the Anatomy Department of University of Ilorin between January 2002 and October 2002, involved the oral administration of varying concentrations of camphor solution in the first seven days of gestation to pregnant Wistar rats. They were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) of three females each with the D as control. The rats in group A received 0.001g in 1ml of camphor solution daily, those in group B received 0.002g/ml of camphor solution daily while those in group C got 0.003g/ml of camphor solution daily. After parturition, the liver sections were obtained from the neonates and processed for routine histologic investigation. Histological changes observed in the liver sections included dilatation of the central veins, which contained lysed red cells. Cyto-architectural distortions of the hepatocytes were also noted. This study highlights the possible abnormalities that could result in a newborn when a pregnant animal is exposed to camphor in the first trimester. The results of this experiment suggest that the functions of the liver could also have been affected due to the distortion of the cyto-architecture of the liver. It is recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be carried out.

Keywords: Camphor, Teratogenic effects, Liver, Pregnant Wistar rats.

Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 1 (2) 2002: pp. 88-93