The effect of quinolinic acid administered during pregnancy on liver cells of rat offspring (ultrastructural investigation).

Liver cells of rat's offspring were ultrastructurally examined after administering quinolinic acid to mothers intraperitoneally in a dose of 60 mmol or 100 mmol, once daily, throughout the entire gestation period. Liver tissue specimens were taken on day 5 after birth from experimental and control animals. Administration of quinolinic acid resulted in a marked proliferation of smooth elements of endoplasmic reticulum in liver cells of their offspring, which indicated microsomal enzymatic induction. Simultaneously, injuries of liver cells of varying intensity were observed, which were dose-dependent on quinolinic acid administration, the injured cells being more frequent at higher doses of the drug.