A Vitamininin Subteratojenik Dozlarının Sıçan Fetüs Böbreği Üzerine Etkileri: Stereolojik Bir Çalışma

Background: Vitamin A (retinol) and its derivatives are essential for maintaining cell differentiation in adult organisms as well as for normal embryonic development in fetuses. On the other hand, high amounts of vitamin A are known to be teratogenic. The formation of urogenital structures depends heavily on retinoic acid receptors. The effects of low and moderate dosages of retinol on the urinary system have not been adequately studied. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of moderate and low doses of vitamin A on the fetal kidney. Materials and Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into 6 groups. On day 10 to 12 of pregnancy (P10-P12) the first group was administered 10000 IU/kg, the second group 20000 IU/kg, the third group 30000 IU/kg, the fourth group 40000 IU/kg and the fifth group 50000 IU/kg oral vitamin A. The control group only received 1 ml of corn oil on the same days. The fetuses were delivered via cesarean section at P19. The kidneys of the fetuses were removed after cardiac perfusion was used to fixate them. After histological preparation of the kidneys, the slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. By using stereological methods, the kidneys' volume (V), glomeruli per unit area (NAg), and glomeruli diameter (D) were all estimated. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: The renal volumes of the 20000, 30000 and 40000 IU/kg groups were higher than those of the other groups. It was also found that the NAg levels of the group receiving 50000 IU/kg Vitamin A were lower than those of all other groups. Moreover, the NAg levels of the groups receiving 20000, 30000 and 40000 IU/kg vitamin A were higher than those of the control group and the group receiving 10000 IU/kg. While the glomeruli diameters of the experimental groups were not different from those of the control group, the glomeruli diameters of the group receiving 20000 and 50000 IU/kg retinol were larger than those of the groups receiving 10000 and 40000 IU/kg vitamin A. Conclusions: Given the estimated higher V, Na, and D values of the group receiving 20000 IU/kg vitamin A, we can assume that this particular dose has a significant effect on renal morphology and development.