Effect of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on developing rat brain. A morphological and histological study

Abstract

A single intraperitoneal injection of CPZ(50mg/kg) was administered to pregnant rats on day 12 of gestation and fetuses were collected on day 20 of gestation. The brains of treated fetuses measured after fixation showed statistically significant reduction in weight (P < 0.001) and in various dimensions of their different parts (P < 0.001). The treated fetuses were also markedly stunted as judged by their weights. However, the weights of brains in the experimental group showed negative correlation with body weight indicating positive reduction in brain size. Histological examination revealed hydrocephaly in 83% of the treated cases. Hydrocephalic brains also showed reduction in cellularity of their cortices. Degenerative neuronal vacuolisation was observed in brains of all treated cases even if there was no ventricular dilatation.