Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the effect of malathion and the protective role of vitamin [C] on the ovary of adult female albino rats

Malathinon is an organophoshorus insecticide [OPI] widely used in agriculture to disinfect crops and stored gains and in some medicine to treat lice and scabies. In this way it can reach to general population and not only to persons working with it. Malathion low dose is toxic to many organs/system of the body and it has been observed that oxidative stress may have a role in malathin toxic action. Many researches have been done on its effect on male genital system. Meanwhile studies on the female reproductive system especially the ovary are limited and need further investigation. Is to the effect of chronic exposure to malathion on the ovary and the role of vitamin C in ameliorating the possible changes induced by malathion. A total number of 70 young adult female rats were used divided into three groups. Group I: 10 animals were kept as control groups. Group II: 30 animals treated with malathion at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day by intragastric tube for two months. Group III: 30 animals treated with vitamin C in a dose of 20 mg/100gm/day given two hours earlier before the dose of malathion for two months. Animals were sacrificed and their ovaries were processed and examined using histological and immunohistochemical [PCNA and Caspase 3] and morphometric techniques. After malathion treatment. The ovary showed significant decrease in the number and size of various types of follicles associated with a significant increase in the atretic follicles. Oocytes looked shrunken with irregular ZP and ill defined nucleolus. Immunohistochemically, there was an increase in the intensity of caspase 3 [maker of apoptosis] reaction and decrease in the PCNA [maker for cell proliferation] immunostaining. Treatment with vitamin C as antioxidant showed some improvement in the ovary. Malathine induced direct ovarian damage that will affect the fertilitry and the coadministration with vitamin C can partially ameliorate these changes. So it is not completely protective

effect of lead acetate on testicular structure and protective effect of vitamin E in adult albino rat

Lead is considered an important cause of the infertility among occupational workers. The present work was done to study the histological changes in the testicles of adult albino rats after lead treatment for different periods, and the role of vitamin E in minimizing these changes. Forty five adult rats were used in this study. They divided equally into three groups; Group I:-[control]. Group II, was subdivided into subgroups IIa, IIb, and IIc that received lead acetate for one, two and three months respectively. Group III, was subdivided into subgroups IIIa and IIIb and IIIc that received prophylactic vitamin E followed by lead acetate for one, two and three months respectively. The testis was dissected out, processed for examination by light and electron microscope. Lead treatment induced shrinkage in some tubules and loss of germ cells while the remaining cells exhibited pyknotic nuclei with vacuolated cytoplasm. Also proliferation of the interstitial tissue. With increase the duration of lead acetate treatment there was progression in all previous changes in addition to the appearance of multinucleated giant cells. Ultrastructurally, the most characteristic features observed were the apoptosis of the germ cells and Sertoli cells as well as Leydig cells, also degenerative changes specially in mitochondria Combined treatment of vitamin E and lead exhibited marked improvement in most of the previously mentioned changes. Oxidative stress is a major cause of lead induced testicular damage. Using an antioxidant as vitamin E interferes with the reactive oxygen species production and improves lead toxicity