Morphometric studies of thyroid gland of Wistar rats exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and/or lactation

Abstract

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and lactation results to some developmental defects such as microcephaly, impairment of central nervous system and mental retardation in the offspring. However,
information is limited on the effects of alcohol on the organs of dams being exposed during pregnancy and/or lactation including the thyroid gland. Rat model was employed to investigate the morphometric effects of
alcohol on the thyroid gland in dams. 75 female Wistar rats assigned to 3 groups of 25 each were used. Group 1 served as control (C), group 2 and 3 were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and lactation (APL) and during
lactation only (AL) respectively. At Day (D)7, D14, D21, D35 and D49 postpartum, 5 lactating rats were randomly selected from the three groups and sacrificed. After the sacrifice, the thyroids were dissected out and
their weights determined. Thereafter, thyroid tissues were fixed in Bouin’s fluid and prepared for routine histological examination. The results of the investigation showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in the weights
of the thyroid glands. Histological evaluation showed reduced diameter of thyroid follicles, disorganization of follicular cells and desquamation of follicular cells of thyroid glands in alcohol-exposed rats. Our findings
suggest that alcohol intake during pregnancy and/or lactation could be injurious to the thyroid glands.

Keywords: Alcohol, pregnancy, lactation, thyroids, Wistar rats.