Histological Assessment of Placental Development Following Maternal Administration of Monosodium Glutamate in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive commonly consumed as a flavor enhancer. It has been a target of research due to toxicological effects. The aim of this study is to histologically assess the effect of maternal administration of monosodium glutamate on placental development in Wistar rat using appropriate standard methods after establishing pregnancy in animals with regular cyclicity by pairing them overnight with sexually active males in the ratio 2:1 and placentae harvested for histological studies. Histological studies of the placenta when treated with MSG showed there was varying alterations in the histomorphology of the placental ranging from degenerative changes in glycogen cell island in junctional zone of (gestational day )GD 15, mild congestion of sinusoid in labyrinth zone of GD 17, dilated and congested fetal capillary of labyrinth zone in GD 19, vacuolar degeneration of glycogen cell island in junctional zone of GD 17, dilated and congested spiral artery in junctional zone of GD19, dilated sinusoid in labyrinth zone of GD 19. In conclusion, this study shows that there is evidence of placental toxicity following maternal consumption of monosodium glutamate in Wistar rats. Further studies are recommended to assess the mechanism of MSG-induced placental toxicity, as well the effects of MSG-induced placental toxicity on the overall development of the fetus.