Hematological Parameters and Splenic Histopathology in Offspring of Wistar Rats Exposed to Prenatal Stress and Moringa oleifera

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Odochi Ogbu Chukwu ¹

Anthony C.U. Ezimah ²

Nwaeze Konyefom ²

Grace Ottah-umahi ²

Sylvester Ibekailo ²

¹ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State & Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike. Abakaliki, Ebonyi State & Physiology Unit, College of Health Sciences, Evangel University, Akaeze, Nigeria.

² Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike. Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria.

10.22067/ijvst.2025.91007.1447

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of prenatal exposure to Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) on the immune development and splenic histopathology of offspring in rat model. Twenty-five pregnant Albino-Wistar rats were divided into five groups: a control group, two MoLE-treated groups (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg), and two CUS-exposed MoLE-treated groups (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg). MoLE was administered via gavage from gestation day 8 to 21. Hematological parameters and splenic histopathology were assessed in offspring at puberty. Results showed that MoLE exposure affected blood cell counts and splenic histology. Specifically, MoLE treatment resulted in decreased monocyte and granulocyte counts, while lymphocyte levels remained unchanged. The high-dose MoLE group exhibited increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW). Severe histopathological changes, including fibrosis and hemorrhage, were observed in the CUS-exposed groups. These findings suggest that prenatal MoLE and CUS exposure influence immune development.

Keywords

Prenatal Stress

Hematotoxicity

Immunity

Blood

Moringa oleifera

Subjects

• Embryology

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