The protective role of olive oil against gibberellic acid-induced embryotoxicity at prenatal stages of mice

Abstract

Abstract Background Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a plant growth regulator used to improve the quality of crops but its residues in food causes many hazardous effects. In contrast, olive oil has registered several health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. Thus, the present study suggests the use of olive oil as a natural food source to counteract the GA3 toxicity during mice development. In a preliminary experiment, 18 mature females were classified into control and GA3-treated subgroups with ascending doses of GA3 (55, 110, 240, 480, 960 mg/kg B.W.) for 2 weeks. In the main experiment, 20 pregnant females at the 7th day of gestation were divided into four groups: G1 is control, G2 treated orally with GA3 (55 mg/kg), G3 treated with olive oil, and G4 treated with GA3-olive oil. The pregnant females were dissected at prenatal stages at E14 and E18 of gestation. Results The high doses of GA3 in the preliminary experiment showed decrease of uterine folds, reduction of carbohydrates content and TNFR2 expression of the uterine glands, degeneration of the ovarian follicles, blood vessels congestion, and altered TNFR2 expression in oocyte membrane as compared with the control. In the second experiment, GA3-treated embryo at E14 and E18 revealed histopathological changes and altered TNFR2 immunostaining in the developing liver, kidney, and skin tissues. Treatment of GA3 with olive oil improves the negative effects induced by GA3. Conclusion The study concluded that a supplementation rich diet with olive oil creates a protective effect against gibberellic acid-induced embryotoxicity during pregnancy.