Histological studies of the effects of monosodium glutamate of the fallopian tubes of adult female Wistar rats

BACKGROUND: The effect of monosodium glutamate used as food additive on the fallopian tubes of adult Wistar rat was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adult female Wistar rats (n=24) of average weight of 230g were randomly assigned into three groups A, B and C in each group (n=8). The treatment groups (A & B) were given 0.04mg/kg and 0.08mg/kg of monosodium glutamate thoroughly mixed with the growers’ mash, respectively on a daily basis. The control group (C) received equal amount of feeds (Growers’ mash) without monosodium glutamate added for fourteen days. The growers’ mash was obtained from Edo Feeds and Flour Mill Ltd, Ewu, Edo State and the rats were given water liberally. The rats were sacrificed on day fifteen of the experiment. The fallopian tubes were carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde for routine histological procedures. RESULT: The histological findings in the treated groups showed evidence of cellular hypertrophy, degenerative and atrophic changes, and lysed red blood cells in lumen with the group that received 0.08mg/kg of monosodium glutamate more severe. CONCLUSION: MSG may have some deleterious effects on the fallopian tubes of adult female Wistar rats at higher doses and by extension may contribute to the causes of female infertility. It is recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these findings be carried out.