LAHORE : (Monday, January 11, 2010): Punjab University Department of Zoology arranged a public defense lecture of PhD thesis entitled “Developmental Anomalies Induced by Cytotec (Prostaglandin E 1 ) in Mice” in the department here at New Campus on Friday.

Ms Khadija Naeem, a PhD scholar of the department, made a presentation and answered the participants' questions on the occasion. PU Zoology Department Associate Professor Dr Asmatullah is the Supervisor while COMSATS University of Information Technology Islamabad was the External Examiner of Khadija Naeem.

Defending her thesis, Ms Khadija said Cytotec is and FDA recommended drug which is used for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. This was used on pregnant mice and resultantly it affected the new born internally as well as externally. She said as the internal system of human being is very close to that of mice, therefore it is said that the medicine would definitely affect the pregnant women and the new born as well. She said the use of this medicine could cause the new born with small head, large head, mindless, short legs, large legs, short legs and short arms externally, and affect lungs, liver and bones etc internally. Khadija Naeem suggested that the pregnant women, therefore, should never use cytotec without the consulting doctors in any condition so that new generation could be saved and a healthy society could be formulated.

Supervisor Dr Asmatullah said that this study is first of its kind in Pakistan and even rest of the world because experimental data is missing and sparse for Cytotec and also for several other drugs. Therefore based on the findings of this experimental work, it is concluded that this drug should be used with utmost care in women of childbearing age.

Zoology Department faculty members and PhD scholars of the department were also present on the occasion.