Effect of excessive vitamin A and zinc intake on anterior pituitary ultrastructure

Objective To investigate the effect of excessive vitamin A and zinc intake on the anterior piutitary ultrastructure of female rats.Methods Female rats of sexual maturation were radomly divided into six groups(12 in each goup),viz,one normal control group(group A),zinc group(group B),VA group(goup C),VA(lose dose)+Zn group(group Ⅰ),VA (middle dose)+Zn group(groupⅠ)and VA(high dose)+Zn group(group Ⅱ).VA or Zn was dissolved in deionized water and daily given to animals by lavaging for 30 days.With TEM to observe anterior pituitary ultrastructure of female rats.Results The changes of A and B groups were the injury of organelles configuration:swelling of mitochondria,endoplasmic reticulm expansion,the gathering of chromatin and nuclear condensation;The changes of the cells and organclles config uration were observed in Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups.The changes were more serious than A and B groups,the shrinkage cells and necrotic cells were observed.Conclusion Excessive vitammin A and zinc intake can damage the anterior pituitary ultrastructure of female rats.