Effects of Halofantrine Hydrochloride (Halfan) on the Histology of the Ovary of Mature Female Wistar Rats

Halofantrine hydrochloride (halfan) was administered via oral route to matured female wistar rats weighing 180-200g. The Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into six groups of four rats each, making a total of twenty four rats and coded A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 and B3. Groups A3 and B3 were used as controls. Three consecutive doses of 1mg/100g halfan each were administered to group A1 at six hourly intervals while three doses of 2mg/100g halfan each were administered to group A2 at six hourly intervals. The animals were sacrificed on the 5th day after drug administration by cervical dislocation. Animals in groups B1 and B2 were given doses corresponding to A1 and A2 respectively, but in addition drug administration was repeated the fifth day following the day of first administration. The animals in this group were sacrificed on the tenth day by cervical dislocation, the ovaries were removed, blotted dry, fixed in 10% formal saline for histological processing and studies. Histological changes observed in the ovary include retarded growth of follicles, reduction in size and number of follicles, increase in cytoplasmic vacuolation, constriction of blood vessels, absence of corpora lutae and cases of cellular necrosis. These alterations were more pronounced in those groups sacrificed on the tenth day. (Afr J Reprod Health 2003; 7[1]: 113-120) Effets du chlorhydrate halofantrine (halfan) sur l'histologie de l'ovaire des rats de wistar femelles mûres. Le chlorhydrate halofantrine (halfan) a été administé par voie orale aux rats de wistar femelles mûres qui pesaient 180-200g. Les rats de wistar ont été selectionnés au hasard et divisés en six groupes, quatre rats dans un groupe. Il y avait au total vingt-quatre rats codés A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 et B3. Les groupes A3 et B3 servaient de groupes témoin. On a administré trios doses consécutives de 1mg/100g de halfan au groupe A1 toutes les six heures alors qu'on a administré trios doses de 2mg/100g de halfan au groupe A2 toutes les six heures. Le cinquième jour après l'administration, les animaux ont été sacrifiés par la luxation du rachi cervical. Les animaux des groupes B1 et B2 ont reçu les mêmes doses que ceux des groupes A1 et A2 respectivement, mais en plus, on a répété l'administration des médicaments le cinquième jour après la première administration. Les animaux de ce groupe ont été sacrifiés le dixième jour par une luxation du rachis cervical; on a levé les ovaires, les a séchés et fixés dans 10% de soluti