title: Hippocampal and striatal histomorphology following chronic nicotine administration in female and male rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nicotine is a subject of continuous research because of its likely ameliorative effects on neurologic and neurodegenerative disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of its chronic subcutaneous administration on hippocampal and striatal microstructure in both female and male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty adult female and male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Three experimental groups were administered nicotine via subcutaneous injections at doses of 0.25, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Control groups received normal saline. Following administration, routine processing of brain tissues was carried out. Sections obtained were stained using routine H&E methods for general histological appearance, Cresyl violet methods for nissl substances, and Bielschwolsky silver impregnation method for neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed significant increase in percentage of neurons showing degenerating features in the hippocampus and striatum of both female and male rats following the higher doses of nicotine treatment. Only female rats showed positive agyrophilic (black-coloured) aggregations in the hippocampal and striatal regions after nicotine treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicates that higher dose of chronic nicotine administration may induce hippocampal and striatal neurodegenerative changes. However, further studies using more specific method for studying neurodegeneration within brain regions is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun Nigeria ; Department of Human Anatomy, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku, Cross River, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Omamuyovwi M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Ijomone
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olayemi K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Olaibi
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Cross River University of Technology, Okuku, Cross River, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ugochukwu G
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Esomonu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun Nigeria.
authors.forename: Polycarp U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Nwoha
keywords: Females; Hippocampus; Males; Nicotine; Striatum