Histological Study on the Effect of Metronidazole (Flagyl®) on the Distribution of Collagen Fibers in the Uterus of the Pregnant

Abstract

To determine the effect of Metronidazole (Flagyl®) on distribution of collagen fibers in the pregnant rat uterus during the implantation period on days 7 and 9 day post coitum (dpc), sixty-four female rats of confirmed pregnancy have been used ,divided into two treated groups (48 rats) received oral dosage commercial Metronidazole (Flagyl®( and one control group (16 rats) received distilled water via the same route. Histological technique was applied for sections taken from implantation sites at days 7 and 9 dpc. The sections were stained in Hematoxylin and Eosin and Gomori's one step-trichrome stains. The results indicates that blastocysts were able to implant successfully and have initiated the implantation reaction and decidualization in the uteri of all rats used. As a normal reaction on day 7 dpc collagen fibers was found to be virtually absent in the decidual tissue of primary decidual zone (PDZ) and secondary decidual zone (SDZ) in contrast to undifferentiated zone (UDZ) in which the fibers was widely distributed. On day 9 dpc collagen fibers were abundant in the mesometrialdecidual zone (MDZ). Collagen fibers were an important support to the blood vessels in this area which represents a prime route for establishment of nutrient supply through maternal blood vessels supplying the chorioallantoic placenta of rat. The results have revealed that oral intake of Metronidazole did not interfere with the normal process of implantation of rat blastocyst.