ABSTRACT
Monosodium glutamate [MSG], the sodium salt of glutamate, is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in many food preparations. Its use has become controversial because of reports of adverse reaction in people who have eaten foods that contain monosodium glutamate. One of these adverse reactions was the blurring of vision. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of monosodium glutamate [MSG] on visual cortex of albino rats. A total 20 pregnant female rats were randomly divided into two groups. Control group and treated group which received monosodium glutamate by gastric gavages in a dose of 2 g/kg b.w from late pregnancy until the end of weaning. Offspring of two groups were left until puberty [2 month old pregnancy until the end of weaning. Offspring of two groups were left until puberty [2 month old rats]. The offspring of both groups were sacrificed at 60 days and their visual cortices were prepared for histological examination by light and electron microscope. The results revealed severe neuronal degeneration. The neurons of treated visual cortex contained hyperchromic, pyknotic nuclei. The cytoplasm became vacuolated and contains large lipofuscin pigments. The mitochondria became swollen with indented membrane, the Golgi apparatus were absent with the presence of few rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosome. The blood vessels were dilated with the presence of perivascular edema. It is concluded that the oral intake of monosodium glutamate during pregnancy and lactation has degenerating effect on the visual cortex of the raf's offspring