Growth Hormone Assay and Histological Changes in the Pituitary Gland of Experimentally Induced Juvenile Hydrocephalic Rats

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is a central nervous system disorder characterized by the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricular system or subarachnoid space due to an imbalance between CSF production and absorption or obstruction in its flow. Although hydrocephalus affects children predominantly, it can occur at any age, resulting in cognitive and motor deficits due to axonal damage in the periventricular white matter. Elevated intracranial pressure may cause hypopituitarism through direct pressure on the hypothalamus or cause damage to microvasculature of the pituitary stalk, causing pituitary infarction. Existing studies on hydrocephalus’ effects on periventricular neurons have reported deficits in motor and memory functions, however, limited studies examined effects of hydrocephalus on somatotrophs density in the anterior pituitary gland and serum growth hormone levels. This study aimed to evaluate serum growth hormone levels and histological changes in the pituitary glands of rats with post-natal induced hydrocephalus.

Methods: Eighty-six three-week-old albino rats were induced with hydrocephalus using intracisternal kaolin injection and twenty served as control using sham injections. Fifteen hydrocephalic and ten control animals that survived four weeks post-injection were analyzed. Weight changes were monitored and blood samples were collected for growth hormone assays and histological analyses performed on pituitary glands. Data were analyzed statistically using GraphPad Prism 7.0.

Results: Results revealed no significant difference in serum growth hormone levels and somatotroph density between control and hydrocephalic groups, though hydrocephalic rats showed poor weight gain. Histological examination showed reduced cellularity, increased fibrous tissue with cortical lamination disruptions in the anterior pituitary of hydrocephalic rats

Conclusion : Poor appetite and lethargy rather than altered growth hormone secretion, may contribute to poor weight gain in hydrocephalic groups