Craniofacial ossification in rat fetuses following prenatal exposure to dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides

Pesticides, including insecticides, occupy a unique position among many chemicals that man encounters daily for the purpose of pest control in all agricultural programs. In fact, most of such chemicals are not highly selective and constitute potential hazard to many non-target species including man and other animals. The present study aimed to study the teratogenic effects of both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides on the ossification of craniofacial bones in albino rat fetuses. In this study, fifty female albino rats were allocated to ten groups [5/each group]; control, low dose dimethoate 1/40 LD50 [8.25 mg/kg], medium dose dimethoate 1/20 LD5O [16.5 mg/kg], high dose dimethoate 1/10 LD50 [33 mg/kg], low dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [5.2 mg/kg], medium dose carbosulfan 1/20 LD50 [10.45 mg/kg], high dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [20.9 mg/kg], mixed low doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, mixed medium doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, and mixed high doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan. Animals of all groups were sacrificed in the morning of 20[th] day of gestation. Then all specimens were stained with alizarin red stain for evaluation of ossification of skeletal system. The results of the present study revealed that both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides, had a deleterious effect on the ossification of craniofacial bones and that the most affected bones were supraoccipital, presphenoid, and interparietal bones. These effects were marked in the high doses and mixed low dose groups. It is concluded that the deleterious effects were increased with the increasing dose of either dimethoate or carbosulfan insecticides and that the mixture of low doses had an effect near to that of medium and sometimes high doses

Teratogenic effects of dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides on albino rat fetuses

The present study deals with the teratogenic effects which occur in albino rat fetuses after intragastric administration of different doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides, either separately or in combination, to pregnant albino rats. In this study, fifty female albino rats were allocated to ten groups [5/each group]; control, low dose dimethoate 1/40 LD50 [8.25 mg/kg], medium dose dimethoate 1/20 LD50 [16.5 mg/kg], high dose dimethoate 1/10 LD50 [33 mg/kg], low dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [5.2 mg/kg], medium dose carbosulfan 1/20 LD50 [10.45 mg/kg], high dose carbosulfan 1/40 LD50 [20.9 mg/kg], mixed low doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, mixed medium doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan, and mixed high doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan. All pregnant females in mixed medium doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan group died between 9th and 11[th] day of gestation, while those in mixed high doses of dimethoate and carbosulfan died between 8th and 10[th] day of gestation. Animals of all groups were sacrificed in the morning of 20th day of gestation. The external manifestation of poisoning with dimethoate and carbosulfan, embryolethality, live and dead fetuses, placental weight, external abnormalities of fetuses, fetal weight, crown-rump length, biparietal diameter had been monitored. The results of the present study denoting that both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides, had a deleterious effects on embryolethality in the form of increased percentage of preimplantation loss, an increased percentage of resorptions, and decreased percentage of live fetuse. Also, both dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides had a deleterious effects on fetal growth in the form of reduction of, fetal weight, crown-rump length, and biparietal diameter. It is concluded that dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides had a deleterious effects on fetal growth and embryolethality, this effect is dose-related, and that the mixture of low doses had an effect near that of medium and sometimes high dose of dimethoate and carbosulfan insecticides

Influence of prenatal protein under nutrition on apical dendritic length and cytoplasmic RNA in pyramidal neurons of prefrontal cortical layers in albino rat pups

Protein malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries affecting mainly newborns and children during the most critical stage of their brain development. Protein deficiency can alter brain development causing structural and functional deficits. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of prenatal protein under nutrition on apical dendritic length and cytoplasmic RNA of pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortical layers in albino rat pups. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups [Control and undernourished], ten dams each. All dams were fed 20% protein diet till 14th gestational day, and then undernourished group was fed 6% protein diet. At birth pups were scarified by over dose of ether. The selected samples was fixed in Bouin's fixative, then processed and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of 6 microm thicknesses were prepared for the methyl green-pyronin stain for DNA and RNA. Sections [median sagittal] 10 microm thickness in prefrontal cortex were prepared and stained with Silver stain. Silver stained sections were used for measurements of apical dendritic length of neuron in all layers of prefrontal cortex at x 400 magnification. Methyl green-pyronin stain for was used for measurements of optical density for RNA at x 400 magnification by using image pro-plus program. The apical dendritic length in undernourished was significantly less in all layers compared to control. Cytoplasmic RNA was significantly less in the cells in experimental group in all cortical layers compared to control; except layer V, was more in undernourished group than control. Prenatal protein under nutrition decreased apical dendritic length in all prefrontal cortical layers and reflected on the amount of cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA which is also decreased

Influence of prenatal protein under nutrition on neuron packing density of prefrontal cortex in albino rat pups

Nutrition is probably the single greatest environmental influence both on the fetus and neonate, and plays a necessary role in the maturation and functional development of the central nervous system. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of prenatal protein under nutrition on neuron packing density of prefrontal cortex in albino rat pups. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups [Control and undernourished], ten dams each. All dams were fed 20% protein diet till 14th gestational day, and then undernourished group was fed 6% protein diet. Taking undernourished diet from 14th gestational day. At birth pups were scarified by over dose of ether. The growth parameters [body weight, head length and biparietal diameter] were taken. Brain parameters [weight, width and anteroposterior diameter of cerebral cortex] were recorded. The selected samples from prefrontal cortex were prepared for toluidine blue stain. Number of neurons in each layer of prefrontal cortex was counted at x 400 magnification by using Image pro plus program. The results revealed that prenatal protein under nutrition decreased significantly growth parameters [body and brain weight, biparietal diameter and width of cerebral hemisphere]. Prenatal protein under nutrition decreased significantly neuron packing density in superficial layers of prefrontal cortex [I and II] more than layers [III-IV]. Prenatal protein under nutrition found to decrease significantly growth parameters in newly born pups. Also, it decreased significantly neuron packing density in superficial layers of prefrontal cortex due to delay of neuronal migration to these layers

Influence of low frequency electric and magnetic fields exposure on albino rat placentation following maternal exposure during early and late periods of embryogenesis

Background: with the phenomenal growth in the use of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields EMFs, there has been a surge of interest concerning the possible harmful biological effects of electromagnetic fields EMFs with a frequency of 50-60 Hz on the human body

Aim of the work: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the histological changes in the placenta after exposure to low frequency electric and magnetic fields during two different critical periods of embryogenesis

Methods: twenty-four pregnant albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: control, early exposed and late exposed. Both exposed groups were exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field of intensity 1.5G and a strong electric field of intensity 10KV/m. The EMFs exposure started from gestational day 6 through day 10 in the early exposed group and from gestational day 11 through day 15 in the late exposed group. Twenty day full term placenta were then collected and examined histological through light microscopy using hematoxylin and Eosin stains

Results: The present study indicated that 50Hz EMFs exposure the low frequency EMFs exposure in the early and late period affect the placentation of albino rats. Also EMFs exposure in the early period cause changes in rat placenta more than that occurred in the late exposure except the deciduas was more affected in late exposure

Conclusions: So it is suggested that exposure to appliances that producing EMFs must be limited especially during pregnancy

Craniofacial bones development in albino rat fetuses following maternal exposure to low frequency electric and magnetic fields during early and late periods of embryogenesis

Background: With the progressive development of the electrical industry, several workers have studied the effects of electromagnetic fields on cells, organs and tissues through animal studies to investigate the possible harmful biological effects on the human body

Aim of the work The aim of the present study is to evaluate the frequency and pattern of craniofacial bones ossification of 18 and 20-day albino rat fetuses, following maternal exposure to low frequency electric and magnetic fields in the early and late periods of embryogenesis

Methods: Forty eight pregnant albino rats were randomly divided into two age groups [18 and 20 day] each of them was subdivided into three equal groups: control, early exposed and late exposed. Both exposed groups were exposed to 50Hz magnetic fields of intensity 1.5G and a strong electric field of intensity 10KV/m. The EMFs exposure started from gestational day 6 through day 10 in the early exposed group and from gestational day 11 through day 15 in the late exposed group. 18 and 20-day fetuses were then collected and their skeletons were stained with Alizarin red for their evaluation

Results: The present study indicated that 50 Hz EMFs exposure decreased the craniofacial bones development either in the early or late exposed groups but more marked and more delayed in the early exposed group in 18-day fetuses. The early period of embryogenesis was the most critical period for ossification of craniofacial bones

Conclusion: So it is suggested that exposure to appliances that producing EMFs must be limited especially during early period of pregnancy

Influence of prenatal protein malnutrition and low doses caffeine administration on pregnancy outcome and on growth and development of albino rat fetuses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the independent and combined effects of prenatal protein malnutrition and caffeine administration on the outcome of pregnancy and on the growth and development of the 20-day albino rat fetuses. Twenty-four pregnant albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups; control group [20% protein], caffeine group [20% protein + caffeine], protein malnourished group [6% protein] and combined group [6% protein + caffeine]. Protein malnutrition started from the first day of gestation, while low dose caffeine [25 mg/kg BW, IG] was given daily from day 6-12 of gestation. Fetuses were collected by caesarian section at the 20th day of gestation. External examination was done before and after their fixation in Bouin's solution. Internal examination was done using Wilson's hand razor blade technique. The results revealed that prenatal protein malnutrition alone increased pre-implantation loss, decreased placental weight, delayed growth of the fetuses leading to intra uterine growth retardation [IUGR] as revealed from the reduction in fetal weight, crown rump length, head length and biparietal diameter. It also led to high incidence of internal hematomas in the fetuses. These findings became more pronounced in the fetuses of the combined group that showed also some abnormal findings like loss of the wrinkled skin, mild micrognathia, presence of small cranial subcutaneous hematomas and kinky tail. However, low doses caffeine administration in the caffeine group produced mild suppressive effects on fetal growth and reduction in placental weight

Skeletal ossification of 20-day albino rat fetuses under the influence of maternal protein malnutrition and low doses caffeine administration during pregnancy

The purpose of the present work was to study skeletal ossification of the 20-day albino rat fetus under the influence of maternal protein malnutrition and the administration of low subtoxic doses of caffeine which are known to produce minimal effects on the fetus. Twenty-four pregnant albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups; control group [20% protein], caffeine group [20% protein + caffeine], protein malnourished group [6% protein] and combined group [6% protein + caffeine]. Maternal protein malnutrition started from the first day of gestation, while low dose caffeine [25 mg/kg BW, IG] was given daily to the mothers from day 6-12 of gestation. Fetuses were collected by caesarian section at the 20th day of gestation. Bones were stained by alizarin red using Dawson's then ossification was assessed. The results revealed that low doses of caffeine administration have mild effects on ossification of fetal bones, while maternal protein malnutrition delayed ossification markedly. The combination of caffeine and protein malnutrition increased the delaying of ossification in the combined of caffeine and protein malnutrition increased the delaying of ossification in the combined group as compared to all other studied group. A significant delay in ossification was especially noticed in sternum, cervical and sacral vertebrae, pubis and metacarpal bones of the fetuses of the combined group as compared to the caffeine group which indicates that caffeine has a synergistic role to protein malnutrition in the combined group

Effects of melatonin on the teratogenicity of alcohol in albino rat

Teratogenicity of alcohol has been widely studied in humans and laboratory animals. Alcohol seems to produce its deleterious effects through its capability to release harmful free radicals. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential role of exogenous melatonin as a free radical scavenger [antioxidant] against the teratogenicity of alcohol. Twenty four pregnant albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: control, alcohol, melatonin and melatonin-alcohol. Treatment was given intragastrically daily from day 6 through day 12 of gestation. Twenty days full term rat fetuses were then collected. Two thirds of the fetuses were fixed in Bouin's solution for external and visceral examinations. Skeletons of the remaining third of the fetuses were stained with alizarin red for their evaluation. The present study revealed the teratogenicity of alcohol even in its mild dose of 15 ml/kg BW [ethanol, 25% v/v]. In the experimental rats, it increased the rate of resorptions and delayed the fetal growth. It also affected the ossification of the skeletal system and produced different congenital abnormalities. Exogenous melatonin given in this study in a dose of 9 mg/kg BW did not affect significantly the fetal growth and development and did not produce any congenital abnormalities. However, all developmental parameters assessed in this study were found to be normal in the melatonin-alcohol group when compared to the control group. Also, no congenital abnormalities were detected. The results obtained from this study indicate that melatonin probably acts as a negative coteratogen as it counteracts the teratogenic effects of alcohol. The present results also support those reported by previous workers which indicated the role of free radicals in mediating the teratogenicity of alcohol. According to the present findings, it is suggested that any substance known to release free radicals should be prohibited during pregnancy. If it is necessary, it should be combined with a potent antioxidant, to avoid its teratogenic effects