EFFCT OF ALCOHOL ON THE POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF CEREBELLAR CORTEX IN RAT GUSTE 1 - HISTOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC STUDIES

Document Type : Research article

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Abstract

The effect of ethyl alcohol (10%) on the postnatal development of cerebellar cortex was studied using histological and morphometric methods. The external granular layer was much increased in thickness in alcohol fed rat than those of the control while the molecular and granular layer were reduced. The cells of the molecular layer showed neuronal degeneration and many spaces were present in this layer esp < /strong>ecially late postnatal. The Purkinje cells failed to reach their final position up the tenth day and still arranged in more than one row. The degenerative changes appeared at five days and increased with age. The extent of their dendritic tree were reduced but with long spines. The granular layer was delayed in its differentiation from the white mather. Starting from fifth day, the degenerative changes were clearly noticed in the cells and fibers. The mean number of Purkinje and granule cells in alcohol fed rats were reduced in all lobules in all ages. The most affected lobules were lobules II & III in the anteror lobe then
lobules IX & X in the posterior lobe. The numerical densities of granule and Purkinje cells per unit volume of tissue were lower than the control. This density was significantly reduced at 5-21 days. The granule -to- Purkinje cell ratios were increased in alcohol fed rats than those of the control. There was a slight decrease in this ratio in the adult
stage.

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