ABSTRACT
The teratogenic effects associated with ingestion of crude oil on the histology of developing cerebral cortex was investigated in albino wistar rats. Single doses of 3ml/kg; 6ml/kg body 9ml/kg body weight of crude oil was administered through gastric intubations to different groups of pregnant rats onthe 7th; 8th and 9th day of gestation. Control rats received 6ml/kg body weight of normal saline on corresponding days. The fetuses were collected by hysterectomy on the 20th day of gestation. Histological layering; reduced cell density and degeneration of neuroblasts in the intermediate and ventricular zones and the cortical plate. These effects were observed to dose dependent. The result indicate that crude oil ingestion can reduce malformations in the development of fetal cerebral cortex in the rat and therefore calls for greater awareness of the toxic effects of ingestion of crude oil