Theresa Bassey Ekanem1, Moses Bassey Ekong2, Mokutima Amarachi Eluwa1, Anozeng Oyono Igiri1, Eme Efiom Osim3. 1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, #1 Ikpa Road, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Nigeria. 2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Etta-Agbo Road, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria. 3. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Etta-Agbo Road, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Calabash chalk, a kaolin-base substance is a common geophagic material mostly consumed by pregnant women. This study investigated its effect on the histomorphology of the foetal cerebral cortex. METHODS: Twelve gestating Wistar rats were divided equally into groups 1 and 2. On pregnancy day seven (PD7), group 2 animals were administered 200 mg/kg body weight of calabash chalk suspension, while group 1 animals served as the control and received 1 ml of distilled water, by oral gavages and for 14 days (PD7-PD20). On PD21, the dams were sacrificed, and the foetuses removed, examined for gross malformations, weighed and culled to two foetuses per mother. Their whole brains were excised, weighed and preserved using 10% buffered formalin, and routinely processed by haematoxylin and eosin, and Luxol fast blue methods. RESULTS: The foetuses showed no morphological change, but their mean body weights was higher (p=0.0001). Histomorphological sections of the cerebral cortex showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells in all the cortical layers, with less demonstrated Nissl and higher (p=0.001) cellular population compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Calabash chalk cause body weight increase and histomorphological changes in the cerebral cortex of foetuses.
BACKGROUND:Calabash chalk, a kaolin-base substance is a common geophagic material mostly consumed by pregnant women. This study investigated its effect on the histomorphology of the foetal cerebral cortex. METHODS: Twelve gestating Wistar rats were divided equally into groups 1 and 2. On pregnancy day seven (PD7), group 2 animals were administered 200 mg/kg body weight of calabash chalk suspension, while group 1 animals served as the control and received 1 ml of distilled water, by oral gavages and for 14 days (PD7-PD20). On PD21, the dams were sacrificed, and the foetuses removed, examined for gross malformations, weighed and culled to two foetuses per mother. Their whole brains were excised, weighed and preserved using 10% buffered formalin, and routinely processed by haematoxylin and eosin, and Luxol fast blue methods. RESULTS: The foetuses showed no morphological change, but their mean body weights was higher (p=0.0001). Histomorphological sections of the cerebral cortex showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells in all the cortical layers, with less demonstrated Nissl and higher (p=0.001) cellular population compared with the control group. CONCLUSION:Calabash chalk cause body weight increase and histomorphological changes in the cerebral cortex of foetuses.
Entities:
Keywords:
body weight; cerebral cortex; chalk; maternal; morphology; rats
Authors: Richard L Canfield; Charles R Henderson; Deborah A Cory-Slechta; Christopher Cox; Todd A Jusko; Bruce P Lanphear Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2003-04-17 Impact factor: 91.245
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