Effect of acyclovir on rat fetus palate mucosa / Efeito do aciclovir na mucosa palatal de fetos de ratas

ABSTRACT

Five pregnant rats were treated during organogenesis with sc injections of acyclovir (50 mg/kg body weight) on days 9, 10 and 11 of pregnancy. The fetuses (N = 62) were evaluated on day 20 of gestation and presented decreased body weight as well as delayed differentiation of fetal rat palate epithelium, with increased nuclear volume, decreased cytoplasmic and cellular volumes, decreased epithelial and keratin thickness, and increased numerical density