ABSTRACT

In contemporary medicine, gentamicin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is frequently administered during pregnancy to combat various infections. However, the full extent of its safety and potential impact on fetal development remains inadequately understood. While previous research has predominantly focused on the drug's nephrotoxic and ototoxic effects, its potential hepatic repercussions have been largely overlooked. The liver is a vital organ with multifaceted functions, including metabolism, detoxification, and immune regulation, and its proper development during gestation is paramount for the overall health of the offspring. Accordingly, this study was aimed at assessing the histology of liver development following intrauterine exposure to gentamicin in Wistar rat dams. In this study, thirty two (32) adult Wistar rats weighing between 160 g and 180 g were used. The animals were paired overnight at the estrous cycle with sexually active males in the ratio of 2:1. Estrous cycle was confirmed by vaginal lavage. The presence of vaginal plug and/or sperm in the vaginal smear was GD0. The pregnant rats were divided into two groups (A and B) with sixteen (16) rats per group. Group A served as Control and was administered with a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml of normal saline on GD 8. Group B served as the treated group and was administered 200mg/Kg body weight of Gentamicin. On GD13, GD15, GD17, and GD19, four (4) animals were sampled from each group and sacrificed. The uterine horns were exteriorized and incised at the greater curvature of the horns. Fetal liver tissues were harvested from each group for histological assessment. Histological studies showed that the group treated with gentamicin at GD 13 showed reduced invasion of hematopoietic cells, an indicator of early interference of gentamicin with the normal hematopoietic processes within the fetal liver. GD 15 showed increased erythroblastic islands which may indicate a compensatory response to any potential hematopoietic disturbances induced by gentamicin. GD 17 showed increased erythroblastic islands. GD 19 showed increased erythroblastic islands, Dilated sinusoids, and congested blood vessels suggestive of altered blood flow dynamics and potential vascular changes. This study showed that Gentamicin has teratogenic potential against liver development in Wistar rats.