Effect of maternal administration of Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) on fetal ovary rats

Abstract

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is one of the most common contaminants found in water which is formed as a disinfection by-product following chlorination of drinking water supply. It is also a major metabolite of trichloroethyiene and tetrachloroethylene. In order to understand the effect of TCA on the development of ovary of Charles foster rat, TCA in the form of sodium trichloroacetate, at neutral pH, was administered to the pregnant female rats. The dose being 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, or 1800 mg/kg body weight /day by oral gavages during the period of organogenesis, i.e., from days 6 to 15 of gestation. The controls were given the solvent. Live fetuses were examined for gross as well as histological malformations after maternal sacrifice on day 19 of gestation. Resorption rate was found to be increased with the increased dose of TCA, as high as 92.15% with 1800 mg/kg dose. The mean weight of the ovary exhibited a dose-related reduction. Histopathological examination revealed denudation of the surface coelomic epithelium of the fetal ovary, enhancement of apoptosis of oocytes leading to increased mesenchymal tissue and increased "clear areas", with the reduction in the numbers of the oocytes compared to controls , with the sub sequel lying in the reduction in the size and weight of the ovary.