Study of the density of ganglion cells in the terminal bowel of rats with anorectal malformations.
OBJECTIVE
To study the ganglion cells (GC) in the terminal bowel of rats with ethylenethiourea (ETU) induced anorectal malformations (ARM).


METHODS
The animals were divided into three groups: Group A--normal fetuses from pregnant rats that were not administered ETU; Group B--fetuses without ARM born from pregnant rats that were administered ETU and Group C--fetuses with ARM born from pregnant rats that received ETU. ETU was administered on the 11th day of pregnancy at the dose of 125 mg/kg body weight by gastric gavage. The rats had cesarean section on the 21st day of gestation. The fetuses terminal bowel tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to demonstrate ganglion cells.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were found between groups A, B and C regarding ganglion cell densities. Group A had the highest cell density, followed by Group B and the lowest density was found in Group C.


CONCLUSIONS
Ganglion cell densities are decreased in the terminal bowel of rats with ARM.
Macedo
Maurício
M
Post-Graduate Program in Experimental Surgery, UNIFESP, Brazil. mmmacedo@uol.com.br
Martins
José Luiz
JL
Meyer
Karine Furtado
KF
Soares
Iberê Cauduro
IC
D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005031:Ethylenethiourea; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000166:cytology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012007:Rectum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D009418:S100 Proteins; D005031:Ethylenethiourea