Effects of exposure to gibberellic acid during pregnancy and lactation on the postnatal development of the renal cortex in the albino rat

Abstract EN

Background Gibberellic acid (GA3) is one of the plant growth regulators that are widely used in Egypt, to increase the growth of fruits and vegetables.

Little is known about the effects of GA3 on the mammalian tissues.

Aim of the work This work was aimed to reveal the effects of exposure to GA3 during pregnancy and lactation on the postnatal development of the renal cortex in the albino rat.

Materials and methods Forty pregnant females, weighing 200–300 g, were divided into two equal groups: group A (control) and group B (experimental).

The pregnant rats of group B were given GA3 in a dose of 0.2 g/l of drinking water (equivalent to 55 mg/kg of body weight) from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 21 after delivery.

The same dose of GA3 was given to the offsprings after weaning (day 21) till adulthood (3 months).

The offsprings were sacrificed at the following ages: newborn, 10 days, and adult (3 months).

Kidney specimens were processed for light microscopic examination, electron microscopic examination, and immunohistochemical study.

In addition, morphometrical and statistical analysis of the renal cortical thickness was done.

Results The renal glomeruli and the convoluted tubules showed degenerative changes in the three treated studied ages with delayed development of the glomeruli in addition to extravasation of blood and inflammatory cellular infiltration in the interstitial tissue.

Conclusion and recommendation GA3 has harmful effects on the histological development of the renal cortex.

So, it should be used cautionary