Histopathological effects of the food contaminant furan on some endocrine glands of prepubertal male rats

Aim: To evaluate the toxicity of furan on the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas of prepubertal male rats. Materials and methods: Furan was administered orally to 3–4-week-old male rats at doses of 2, 4, and 8 mg kg–1 day–1 by dissolving in corn oil for 90 days. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation at the end of the experiment. Their endocrine glands including the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas were removed and weighed. Tissues were examined morphologically and histopathologically under a light microscope. Results: Organ and relative organ weights of rats did not change with furan administration. Histopathological changes were observed such as congestion in the pancreas and mononuclear cell infiltration, hyperplasia, and fibrosis in the adrenal gland. Conclusion: Furan administration caused histopathological changes in a dose-dependent manner in prepubertal male rats.