Abstract

Background and purpose: Previous studies have shown that morphine consumption during pregnancy could delay placental and embryonic development or could cause abnormal function of nervous system. The present study evaluates the effect of oral morphine consumption on choroid plexus ependym cells of central nervous system development in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Wistar rats (170-200g) were used in this study. The experimental groups received 0.05 mg/ml of morphine by tap water while after pregnancy, the control group received water only. On 14th and 17th days of pregnancy, the pregnant animals were anaesthetized by chloroform and the embryos were removed surgically. Then, embryos were fixed in formalin 10 for 4 weeks. Embryonic tissues were harvested, processed, sectioned and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Choroid plexus cells of central nervous system of embryos were studied using light microscope and MOTIC software. Results: Our results show an increase in the choroid plexus area and number of the ependym cells among experimental group in comparison with controls. Conclusion: Taken together, oral morphine consumption can inhibit choroid plexus cells to develop and function naturally. This defect may postpone the function and development of choroid plexus cells.