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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2024, 26, 10

The effects of heroin on pregnant rats and the reproductive system of female offspring

Fatemeh Osanloo, Ramin Hajikhani, Gholamhassan Vaezi, and Maryam Bananej

Digital Object Identifier:
https://doi.org/10.62401/2531-4122-2024-10

Summary: Introduction: Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs. Previous studies indicated that opioids could have destructive effects on different body tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of heroin on changes in pregnant rats and their offspring. Methods: Female rats were divided into six groups: 1; control, 2; sham receiving saline, 3; receiving 1 mg/kg heroin, 4; received 2 mg/kg heroin, 5; receiving 3 mg/kg heroin and 6; receiving 3 mg/kg heroin. We evaluated the structure of the ovary of offspring, the level of testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) hormones, activity of the liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the level of triglycerides, expression of Sox9 and P52 genes in pregnant rats. Results: Heroin led to histological abnormalities in the ovaries of offspring. In some pregnant rats receiving heroin, significant changes were observed in the amount of FSH and testosterone, triglycerides, AST, ALT, and Sox9 and P52 genes compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Discussion: This study indicated that heroin could cause abnormalities in pregnant rats and damage ovarian tissue in their offspring.

Keywords: Ovary; Heroin; FSH; LH