Abstract
Developmental and growing differentiations of the microstructure and connective tissue core (CTC)of the fungiform papaillae in neonatal rats born to methamphetamine-dependent mothers were investigated utilizing the epithelial exfoliation method with scanning electron microscopy.
In the experimental group, three newborn rats receiving a dayly hypodermal injection of methamphetamine after vaginal plugging were used 1 week,3 weeks and 5 weeks after birth, respectively. In the sham group, newborn rats injected with the saline solution were used for the same periods.
One week after birth, fungiform papillae which appeared as round dome-shaped features and differences between the sham and experimental groups were not obvious.3 weeks after birth, CTCs of the fungiform papillae in the experimental group were indicated as being more slender on top than the ones in the sham group.5 weeks after birth, atrophic structures were recognized on the microstructure and CTC on the fungiform papillae.
In this study, it was revealed that the drug habit has a baneful influence upon the development and growth of the oral tissuses and might also induce these dysfunctions.
