The morphological structure of the pituitary gland in a white rat under conditions of long-lasting alcohol intoxication
Semczuk, M.
Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklodowska. Sectio D Medicina 34: 283-290
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0066-2240 PMID: 263619 Document Number: 144020
Investigations were carried out on 64 male Wistar rats, 3-4 mo. old, with initial wt. of 150-200 g. Animals were divided into 4 groups and control group. Experiments lasted 13, 51, 102 and 204 days. Animals were administered 40% ethyl alcohol in a dose of 3 g/kg body wt. per day. Microscopic appearance of the pituitary gland and its weight was evaluated and microscopic sections 10-12 .mu. thick were stained with hematoxylin eosine and by the PAS [periodic acid-Schiff] method. Pituitary gland weight in groups of animals alcoholized the longest (3 and 4) was significantly lower compared to controls. In pituitary glands of rats receiving ethyl alcohol for 51 days, an increased amount of blood capillary vessels were dilated and extravasculation of blood into interstitial tissue was observed. In the group administered alcohol for the longest time, an increased amount of basophilic cells and activity of PAS reaction was noticed. The mechanisms which could be responsible for observed changes of pituitary glands under conditions of long-lasting alcohol intoxication were discussed.