Biochemical and genotoxic effects of prothiofos in rats

Organophosphate pesticides continue to pose a risk to animal and human health. By using stomach tube, orally three dose levels of the organophosphate insecticide prothiofos were used for 28 days. Other groups of rats were exposed to the same three dose level for 28 days and then recovery from pesticide for 14 days [i.e. withdrawal time of 14 days]. These three dose levels include high dose level [1/20 of LD[50]], the medium level [1/40 of LD[50]] and the low level [1/60 of 11]50]. Blood samples for studying the biochemical changes were taken from rat eye cansus at 7, 14 and 28 days. At the end of experimental course, the animals were sacrificed for studying the pathological and cytogenetic changes after the exposure and recovery from pesticide. Results revealed significant elevation in serum AST and ALT activities at the different intervals and doses. This elevation was marked at using the dose levels of 1/20 and 1/40 of LD[50]. Activity of Ach E was inhibited with different doses and intervals. Significant reduction in albumin level was noticed with the dose level of 1/20 and 1/40 of LD[50] but slight reduction was observed with dose level 1/60 of LD[50]. Significant elevation in creatinine level was achieved at dose levels of 1/20 and 1/40 of LU50] but slight elevation was observed with dose level of 1/60 of LD[50]. Hepatic tissues of rats exposed to high and medium dose levels showed different degenerative and fatty changes. Also, kidneys of treated groups showed sever congestion in the stronial blood vessels with perivascular oedenia. Bone marrow cells of treated rats revealed that, prothiofos induced highly significant increase in the number of chromosomal aberration at the three dose levels. The most frequent aberrations were chromatid gap followed by break, deletion and ring. A centric fragment and fragment were the lowest types of aberrant cell scored. Numerical aberration which showed as polyploidy was scored in all dose levels of treatment. Recovery leads to improvement of the physiological condition of the exposed rats. The adverse effects of pesticide exposure were subsiding with the medium and low doses levels. Also, recovery did not achieve improvement of genotoxic effect at the all doses levels

Developmental toxicity evaluation of oral aluminum in rats

The present study was designed to elucidate the adverse effects of the orally administered aluminum [Al] on the growing fetus and consequently on the animal wealth in our country. This aim has been achieved by studying the teratogenic, perinatal and postnatal effects of aluminum chloride when administered orally at 345 mg/kg body weight to female rats during organogenesis, fetal and/ or lactation periods. The results showed that Al chloride exposure on days 6-15 of gestation produced a significantly higher percentage of postimplantation death, resorptions, morphological, visceral and skeletal anomalies in the obtained fetuses compared to the control group. In addition, the live fetuses' percentage, mean fetal body weight and placental weights were significantly decreased. The obtained data revealed also that Al chloride exposure on 6[th] day of gestation till weaning induced significant increase in the percentage of dams showed delayed birth date and signs of dystocia. In addition, it induced a significant increase in the percentage of postimplantation loss, dead fetuses; fetuses showing neurobehavioral and respiratory symptoms and those born with morphological abnormalities. Moreover, it decreased the live/ birth, survival and viability indices and weight gain of these fetuses compared with control. The Al- induced effects on the obtained fetuses from Al chloride treated dams through lactation period included significant increase in the percentage of postnatal deaths, fetal stunted growth with a significantly increased percentage of nervous and respiratory symptoms prior to death. Consequently, the survival and viability indices were reduced. Moreover, the weight gain during lactation was significantly reduced. Brain examination of the obtained fetuses from all exposed dams throughout this study showed different histopathological changes. It can be concluded that Al chloride exposure of female rats during gestation and/ or lactation periods caused teratogenic, perinatal and postnatal adverse effects on their progeny