Effects of Bonny Light Crude Oil on the Histology of Cerebral Cortex in Fetuses of Wistar Rat

Abstract

The teratogenic effects associated with ingestion of crude oil on the histology of developing cerebral cortex was investigated in albino Wistar rats. Single doses of 3ml/kg, 6ml/kg body and 9ml/kg body weight of crude oil was administered through gastric intubations to different groups of pregnant rats on the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th day of gestation. Control rats received 6ml/kg body weight of normal saline on corresponding days. The fetuses were collected by hysterectomy on the 20th day of gestation. Histological layering, reduced cell density and degeneration of neuroblasts in the intermediate and ventricular zones and the cortical plate. These effects were observed to dose dependent. The result indicate that crude oil ingestion can reduce malformations in the development of fetal cerebral cortex in the rat and therefore calls for greater awareness of the toxic effects of ingestion of crude oil