Histopathological changes in pregnant rat's liver following repeated halothane exposure [2]

ABSTRACT

Adulte white rats were divided into 3 groups, 6 rats each [2 and 4]. The first group was exposed to 1.5% halothane for 20 minutes every other day for 6 exposures. The rats were mated and exposed another 10 exposures. The second group was given 0.1% phenobarbitone in milk one week before, and during the period of exposure which was similar to the first group. The third group was kept as a control. At the suspected date of delivery, the rats were sacrified, and specimens were taken from the liver for haematoxylin and eosin stain, PAS reaction and Sudan black stain. Repeated exposure to halothane did not affect the pregnancy rate, but it resulted in hepatic focal and centrilobular necrosis with glycogen poverty and moderate lipid content. The portal spaces showed thick connective tissue and lymphocytic infiltration. Phenobarbitone reduced the pregnancy rate and resulted in 16.5% foetal mortality with more hepatic necrosis and increases in glycogen and lipid content