Effect of Penicillin on Reproductive Function in Female Wistar Rats
This study was designed to investigate the effect of penicillin on reproductive function in female Wistar rats. Fifteen female rats (120 – 160 g) were used for the estrous cycle and histopathological studies. Penicillin (17.14 mg/kg) was administered orally on daily basis for 21 and 50 days respectively for the estrous cycle and histological studies. Estrous cycle was carried out using the technique of Marcondes et al., histologies of the ovaries and uteri were also carried out. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and student’s t-test at p=0.05. Treatment of rats for 21 days with penicillin (17.14 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.05) increments in the estrous and metestrous phases as well as a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the proestrous phase of the estrous cycle relative to their respective controls. The histopathological study presented with a moderate endometrial congestion. It can therefore be concluded that penicillin probably has a pro-fertility effect with a moderate deleterious effect on the uteri at histological level in female Wistar rats.