Abstract

Aim: Maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy and/or lactation results to some developmental defects in the offspring including growth retardation. Information is limited on the effect of alcohol on the liver of dams exposed to alcohol. Methods: Rat model was employed to investigate the effects of alcohol on the liver of the dams. 75 female Wistar rats grouped into 3 of 25 each were used. The rats were later bred overnight after acclimatization for three weeks by introducing one male rat into a cage housing five females. Pregnancy was presumed after observing vaginal plug the following morning. Group 1 served as control (C), Groups 2 and 3 were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and lactation (APL) and during lactation only (AL) respectively. At Days 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 postpartum, 5 lactating rats were selected from the three groups and sacrificed and the liver dissected out, weighed, fixed in 10% formalin and prepared for routine histological examination. Results: The results showed significant increase (p<0.05) in the weights and degeneration of hepatocytes of the liver. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that alcohol intake during pregnancy and/or lactation is injurious to the liver of dams which could lead to impairment of foetal growth.

Key Words: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Lactation, Liver, Hepatocytes