Histological Studies of the Effects Of Dichloroacetic Acid (DCA) Exposure on The Hippocampus of Male Albino Rats

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is commonly found in drinking water as a by-product of chlorination disinfection. It is formed from organic material during water chlorination and is considered as a neurotoxicants in rats, dogs, and humans. The objective of the present study is to investigate the histopathological changes in the hippocampus area of the brain after the administration of DCA (125mg/kg body weight) in male albino rats for 30, 60 & 90 days. Normal histology of the hippocampus in control rats have shown distinct & intact layers as stratum oriens, stratum pyramidale and stratum radiatum. Pyramidal layer through CA1 to CA3. Dentate gyrus (DG) is also well stained & intact. Various subfields of hippocampus containing granule cell layer (GCL) & Hilus (H) are found to be intact & well marked. The cells of pyramidal layer are showing destruction and vacuolization of the molecular layer (ML) of dentate gyrus of hippocampus is seen after 30 days of DCA treatment. Where as after 60 days, there is higher destruction of cells in the CA1 & CA2 regions than the CA3 region of the pyramidal cell layer (PCL). After 90 days chronic treatment of DCA extensive vacuolization in the cells of molecular layer & destruction in the pyramidal cell layer has been seen. The changes in the cellular structure with DCA administration has been correlated to its possible neurotoxic effects with reference to alterations in the memory, learning & behavior of the animal.