Alcohol Exposure Mediated Purkinje Cell Loss in Developed Albino Rats

The normal (group A) Purkinje cells w ere arranged in a single row to form Purkinje cell layer, while in the treated groups they appeared in more than one row. The ultrastructural studies of normal Purkinje cells at D 14 showed their large pear - shaped perikaryon with large round nucleus. The treated groups showed loss of Purkinje cells represented by neurocyte chromatolysis, or vacuolation. In addition, alcohol affec ts the denderitic tree of Purkinje cells so it was reduced in groups B & C but was moderate in size in groups D & E. The normal (group A) Purkinje cells were deeply stained; this reflects the high amount of Nissl granules if compared with other treated gro ups due to the high metabolic activity of the normal pups . In group B, some of the detected neurons were degenerated. In group C, most of neurons were pale at D1 4 , while they were moderately - stained in groups D& E. After birth the pups were divided into fi ve groups A, B, C, D and E, each of 15 animals. On days 7 and 21 after birth, 5 of the pups from each group were sacrificed to study the effect of alcohol at different periods and conditions. Group A: normal pups (control). Group B: the mothers were given alcohol from D 7 of gestation till the D21 after birth. Group C: the pregnant females were given alcohol from D7 of gestation but alcohol administration was stopped at birth and the mothers were given the chance to lactate their pups for 21 days. Group D : the pups of treated mothers were transferred at birth to be lactated by normal surrogate mothers for 21 days. Group E: the pups of normal mothers were transferred at birth to be lactated by females that were given alcohol every day (treated surrogate mot her) for 21 days.