Pathological Lesions in the Lungs of Neonatal Wistar Rats from Dams Administered Ethanol during Gestation

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanol ingestion during pregnancy on the fetal lungs development. Adult Wistar rats were used and grouped into four groups and each group having four females and two males. Group A was the control group received only distilled water, while groups B, C and D received 0.2 mL of 20, 25 and 30% ethanol orally respectively daily for seven days during the 4th to 10th day of gestation. After delivery, the fetal lungs were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The neonates’ lungs were prepared through histological techniques and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and were studied under the light microscope. The result showed alveolar degeneration, bronchiole-capillary thickening, bronchiolar degeneration and extravasations of erythrocyte in the ethanol treated groups while the control was normal. Ethanol ingestion during pregnancy could lead to ethanol-induced lung damage in the fetuses. Hence, alcohol ingestion should be avoided during pregnancy.