Effects of Ethanol on the Uterus of Gestating Wistar Rat

Abstract

Background: The uterus serves as protective and nutritive sac in which the conceptus develops. Any targeted assaults or intrusion to the conceptus would unlikely spare the uterus. Alcohol, a well-known toxic teratogenic agent is commonly taken as beverages, therapeutic or prophylaxis even during conception. Hence, the extent of damage to this organ with an experimental dosage of ethanol during conception in the rat was investigated in this report.

Materials and Methods: 30% v/v ethanol was orally fed to an experimental group. Histological study of the uterus was done on day 15 to observe the extent of ethanol on the organ.

Results: The myometrium was characterized by necrosis and attenuation of the muscle fibres; while in the endometrium, apoptosis of the endometrial cells were observed, with the constriction, strangulation and laceration of the blood vessels and intra-uterine haemorrhage.

Conclusion: In addition to the direct effects of teratogenic or toxic assaults on the conceptuses, the simultaneous effects of such agents on the uterus would inadvertently add to and aid the manifestations of any congenital anomalies observed.