Commercial Artificial Sweeteners Might Affect Pregnant and Nursing Mice Mammary Gland. A Histological Study

The use of artificial sweeteners as non-nutritive food additive is becoming very common nowadays. The aim of this research was to study the effect of commercial artificial sweeteners consumption on the adult mouse mammary gland in pregnancy (18-day pregnancy) and 3 weeks nursing. A commercial artificial sweetener solution was given to pregnant mice of treated groups 50 mg/kg body weight, from day one of pregnancy till the end of 3 weeks nursing. Controls were given distilled water. The histological studies of the mammary gland of treated animals showed some changes. In treated 18-day pregnant mothers; the amount of adipose cells seemed to increase and the amount of lipid droplets within the alveoli seemed to increase compared to the controls. Also alveoli in the treated mammary gland sections appeared to be larger and less in number compared to the controls. In 3 weeks treated nursing mothers the amount of milk and lipid droplets in the alveoli decreased compared to the controls. The mammary gland circumference of treated 18-day pregnant mothers was significantly smaller compared to the controls, while it was significantly larger in 3 weeks treated nursing mothers compared to the controls. These results show that artificial sweeteners disturbed the arrangement of the histological structure in the mammary gland of pregnant and nursing mice. Awareness should be raised to restrict the use of artificial sweeteners to people with diabetes or who are in medical need.