AAbstract: Introduction: The dexamethasone (Dx) is a synthetic glucocorticoid that pass through placental barrier especially in late gestation and affects the growth and maturation of most of fetal tissues so that The Dx is commonly used drug in preterm delivery to promote fetal lung growing, lowering the postnatal deaths from respiratory distress diseases.
Aim of work: This study was carried out to study the effects of dexamethasone on the development of neonates suprarenal gland and possible protective effect of curcumin against this.
Material & Methods: In this study a total of 12 adult pregnant female albino rats were included. The animals were subdivided into 3 groups, five rats for each group. the offspring were scarified at birth. The suprarenal glands were processed for light microscope studies .
Results: Variable pathological changes were observed in adrenal cortex of the dexamethasone treated group compared to the control one and these changes become little or not present on the curcumin and dexamethasone treated group.
conclusion: prenatal dexamethasone administration has enormous destructive effects on both the structure and fine structure of the developing adrenal gland. Therefore, it is highly recommended that its use must be restricted to the urgent necessity and in such case, curcumin as a potent antioxidant, can be utilized to ameliorate these adverse effects.
Keywords: development, adrenal gland, Dexamethasone, curcumin.