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Purkinje cell density in cerebella of alcoholized and non-alcoholized male rat offspring
A González-Maciel1, R M Romero-Velázquez, J L Hernández-Islas
1Servicio de Microscopía Electrónica, Unidad de Investigación en Salud Infantil del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; México, D.F.
Insights
Male rat alcohol consumption negatively impacts offspring Purkinje cells. Paternal alcohol exposure led to significant Purkinje cell degeneration in 14- and 21-day-old offspring, suggesting germinal plasma alterations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Paternal alcohol consumption is a public health concern.
- The impact of paternal alcohol intake on offspring neurodevelopment requires further investigation.
- Purkinje cells are crucial for motor control and cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of paternal alcohol exposure on Purkinje cell morphology and number in Wistar rat offspring.
- To determine if alcohol-induced changes in male rats affect germinal plasma and subsequent offspring development.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were divided into control (water), experimental (alcohol), and equienergetic control (sugar water) groups.
- Rats underwent treatment for varying durations (60-180 days) before mating.
- Offspring were analyzed at 14 and 21 days for Purkinje cell changes in the cerebellum.
Main Results:
- Offspring from alcohol-exposed fathers showed significant Purkinje cell degeneration (hyperchromasia, degenerative zones) at 14 and 21 days.
- No significant morphological changes or density differences were observed in offspring from control or equienergetic control groups.
- Significant differences in Purkinje cell counts were noted between control and experimental groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Paternal alcohol consumption can induce detrimental changes in offspring Purkinje cells.
- These findings suggest that alcohol may alter male germinal plasma, impacting fetal neurodevelopment.
- Further research is warranted to explore the full spectrum of alcohol's effects on reproductive health and offspring outcomes.
Abstract:
The effect of alcohol intake by male rats was evaluated on Purkinje cell morphology and number in their offspring. Forty five male Wistar rats, 45 days old, were used and divided into three groups of 15 rats each: control group (CG), fed with conventional Purina rodent feed (CPRF) and water ad libitum; experimental group (EG), fed with CPRF ad libitum and a mixture of water/ethanol, which represented 36% of kilocalories in food; and an equienergetic intake control group (ECG), which was given CPRF (in grams) and sugar in their drinking water, in order to substitute the energetic value provided by alcohol. Five subgroups (n = 3) were created to be used for different treatment periods: 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days; all groups started treatment when they were 70 days old. At the end of each treatment period, male rats were mated with nulliparous females not having undergone treatment. Offspring were obtained and studied at 14 and 21 days of age. The Purkinje cells of the cerebella of 14- and 21-day-old offspring belonging to the CG and ECG showed no morphological changes. On the other hand, in 14-day-old offspring belonging to the experimental group of parents alcoholized during 90, 120, and 180 days, a large number of hyperchromatic Purkinje cells were seen, forming zones of cells undergoing a degenerative process. No significant differences in cellular density were determined between the CG and the ECG. When comparing the CG vs. EG and the ECG vs. EG, significant differences were found in the 14-day-old offspring as well as in the 21-day-old ones with a p < 0.05 of rats belonging to parents alcoholized for 90, 120, and 180 days. The results may indicate that there are changes in the germinal plasma of males due to alcohol consumption; therefore, reflecting this effect on a decrease of Purkinje cells and probably on other cell populations.
