Histological and Anatomical Manifestations of the Effect of Chlorpyrifos Toxicity on Placenta and Fetuses of Albino Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective:Chlorpyrifos is one of the most widely used organophosphate pesticides worldwide and has been linked to harmful effects on reproductive health, however, its integrated histological and morphological effects on the placenta and fetuses of albino rats during pregnancy remain poorly understood, creating a research gap that necessitates further study.

Methods: To address this gap, pregnant albino female rats were treated with a specific dose of Chlorpyrifos for 10, 15, and 20 days. Placental tissues were histologically examined using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, while fetuses underwent detailed external morphological examination compared to a control group.

Results: revealed progressive histological deterioration in the placenta proportional to exposure duration. At ten days, cellular degeneration, vascular congestion, and inflammatory infiltration were observed. At fifteen day these escalated to vascular sclerosis, hemorrhage, and ischemia. By twenty day, Giant Trophoblast Cells appeared alongside extensive degeneration in the Labyrinth zone. In contrast, no visible morphological abnormalities were recorded in -fetuses across all groups, although their absence does not exclude underlying damage at the histological and molecular levels.

Conclusions: These findings confirm that Chlorpyrifos poses a real histological risk to the placental-fetal unit; and necessitate stricter monitoring of pregnant women's exposure and reassessment of its use policies in agricultural and domestic environments.