Histologic Assessment of Polyvinyl Chloride on the Uterus of Adult Wistar Rats

Backgrounds: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), has emerged as a significant environmental concern with potential impacts on reproductive health. The uterus, a critical organ for female fertility and embryo development, may be vulnerable to microplastic exposure. This study investigated the histological effects of orally administered PVC microplastics on the uterus of adult Wistar rats. Methods: Fifteen adult female Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly divided into five groups: A: control group, B: negative control group receiving cyclohexanone at 0.1 mg/kg, and C, D and E: Test groups receiving PVC at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg/kg. Animals were euthanized after 21 days of administration. Uterine tissues were harvested, fixed immediately in 10% formal saline and processed under a histological procedure. Results: Histological examination revealed distorted uterine architecture across all PVC-treated groups. Conclusion: Findings from the current study, showed that PVC-MPs impacted the histoarchitecture of the uterus and prolong and daily exposure can initiate fertility issue in the future, thereby preventing pregnancy in its totality.