Light and electron microscopic study of the thyroid gland of female albino rats after collagen-induced arthritis

Adult female albino rats were subjected to experimental arthritis by the injection of arthritic material formed of bovine collagen II dissolved in acetic acid and mixed with Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant [IFA]. Thyroid glands were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Two groups of control rats were used. The first control group comprised healthy non-treated rats. The second control group comprised IFA -treated rats. Compared with the control rats, light microscopic examination of the thyroid gland of the arthritic rats revealed a marked distortion of the thyroid architecture. The thyroid follicles appeared either degenerated, homogenized or lost. The follicular cells appeared low cubical or flattened with scanty cytoplasm and darkly stained nuclei. The parafollicular C-cells were ill-defined. The colloidal material was either highly vacuolated or depleted. Intraluminal and interfollicular mononuclear cell infiltration was observed. Compared with the control rats, electron microscopic examination of the thyroid gland of the arthritic rats revealed a distorted ultrastructure of the follicular cells. The rough endoplasmic reticulum appeared dilated, distorted, vesiculated and partially degranulated. Secretory granules were rarely seen. Lysosomes and apical cytoplasmic granules were absent. Large cytoplasmic vacuoles and secretory crystalline deposits were seen in some follicular cells. The luminal border lost its apical microvilli and the follicular lumen of some cells contained crystalline colloidal deposits. The nucleus appeared folded and contained more electron-dense clumped chromatin. Pyknotic and karyolytic nuclei were observed. The C-cells showed irregular plasma membrane, disintegrated nucleus and grouping of the secretory granules at one pole of the cell. The present observations may reflect a reduction in the functional activity of the thyroid gland [hypothyroidism] in the female rats subjected to collagen-induced arthritis. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor the thyroid hormones in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to check the presence of thyroid auto-antibodies in these patients

Light and scanning electron microscopic histomorphological studies of lingual papillae of albino rat during pre and postnatal life

The present study aimed to describe the morphology and structure of lingual papillae of albino rat fetuses at 19 days of gestation as well as at 1, 3 and 4 weeks postnatal. Twelve tissue specimens were taken from the tongue of three rats from each of the previously mentioned stages and were processed for both light and scanning electron microscopy. In 19 days prenatal fetuses, both mechanical and gustatory papillae were detected on the lingual surface. As regards the filiform papillae they appeared as small rounded projections with rounded tips. Its superficial epithelial coat showed early evidence of keratinization. At the same time, the gustatory fungiform papillae were detected in 19 day fetuses with undifferentiated taste buds and were lined by non-cornified epithelial cells. With the advancement of growth at 1,3 and 4 postnatal weeks three shapes of filiform papillae were distinguished. They were associated with more keratinization of their free ends. During postnatal development at 1,3 and 4 weeks both the circumvallate and the fungiform papillae were detected and attained more differentiated form and their shapes were almost the same as those in the adult rat

Effects of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether [EGME] on male albino rat liver, kidney and femoral bone

Twenty male albino rats [100-120] gm body weight were used in this study and divided into a control and an experimental group, ten rats for each. Each rat from the experimental group was given, orally 80 mg / kg. body weight EGME every other day for 21 days. 5 mm. thick paraffin sections from the liver, kidney and decalcified femoral bone for each rat were prepared and stained by Hx and E, alcian blue PAS and Mallory triple stain. The diameter of epiphyseal cartilage was also measured both of control and experimental group. EGME induced marked histopathological alteration in the liver and kidney. Hepatic lesions were characterized by mild increase of mononuclear cell infiltration along the hepatic cords, dilation of some hepatic sinusoids and swollen hepatocytes. Renal lesion was in the form of glomerular hypercellularity and lobulation, also the renal tubules were dilated and had irregular luminal border. The femoral bone revealed atrophy of epiphyseal cartilage with disturbing cartilage columns and widening of the spaces of the matrix between them. Alcianophilic staining ability of the chonchocytes and matrix markedly declined. The trabecular bone also was markedly reduced in size. It was concluded that one should be cautious while using EGME containing materials such as some paints, cleaners, dyes, inks, resins and varnishes

Erythropoietic response to androgen replacement therapy Erythropoietic and role of IL-6 in aging male rats

Changes in iron status and bone marrow Junctions are frequently observed in the elderly. These phenomena are often associated with chronic diseases and/or neoplcfsmas. In a minority of elderly subjects; it is not possible to identify the causes of anemia. This study was carried out to clarify the functional capacity of the erthropoietic tissues of the aged rats, to investigate the role of IL-6 in erthropoietic activity, and to evaluate the short-term testosterone therapy. Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided according to their age into group I [16-week-old; n = 6], group II [48-week-old; n=12], group III [72-week-old; n=I2]. Six rats enrolled in each elderly group [groups II and III] received s.c. testosterone propionate; 2 mg/100 g body weight every other day for 10 days [Groups lIb and Illb]. The remaining rats not received testesterone were named groups [Ila and IlIa]. One day after the last injection, bone marrow aspirates were performed to evaluate the erthropoietic activity and iron stores in the erythroid precursors. In addition, a peripheral haemogram and determination of serum levels of iron, TIBC, IL-6, and free testosterone were done. Significant age-linked changes were observed in the form of decreased serum levels of free testosterone, IL-6, TIBC, RBCs count, and Hb levels as well as an increase in serum iron level in groups Ila and IIla. Bone marrow hypocellularity with a decrease in the amount of iron storage were especially remarkable in Group IlIa. Moreover improvement in the function of erythropoietic tissues in Group lib indicated by erythroid hyperplasia and an increase in the amounts of iron storage. However, reduced serum IL-6 was not affected by testosterone therapy. These data reveal that senile anemias are of hypoproliferaitue character. Testosterone and IL-6 may be, at least in part, the important factors in determining an age-associated decrease in erythropoiesis

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic study of the obiductal epithelium of female albino rat during follicular and luteal phases of the estrous cycle

This work was done on fifteen virgin adult female albino rats to study regional differences and cyclic changes of the oviduct epithelium during the follicular and luteat phases of estrous cycle. Specimens from the fimbriae, ampulla and isthmus of the oviducts were prepared and examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed that during the follicular phase, the fimbrial and ampullary epithelium were heavily ciliated. The cilia were uniform in length with even distribution and they concealed to a great extent the secretary. However, during the luteal phase the secretary cells were predominant with characteristic microvilli and solitary cilia protruding from their surfaces. The isthmic epithelium showed few changes between the follicular and the luteal phases of the estrous cycle, where the ciliated cells were irregularly distributed at both phases. However, the secretary cells appeared more prominent during the luteal phase. Transmission electron microscopic examination showed that the secretary cells of the fimbriae were columnar with ovoid nuclei and numerous long free border microvilli; the ampullary secretary cells were broad with few irregular microvilli. However, the isthmic secretary cells were broad with short blunt microvilli. Solitary cilia were found among the microvilli of the fimbrial and ampullary secretary cells. Two types of secretary granules were observed in the oviduct secretary cells, electron dense and electron lucent. During the follicular phase the secretary granules were almost of the electron dense type. However during the luteal phase, they increased and exhibited an electron - lucent appearance with centrally or peripherally located electron dense dots or patches. It is obvious from this study that the findings obtained be SEM were in accordance with and confirmed what found by the TEM. Both revealed marked regional differences and cyclic changes in the oviduct epithelium which might be necessary to meet varied requirements of the developing ovum. So, the tubal cells have to adjust themselves structurally and biochemically for such purpose

Some effects of heated raid mat on albino rats

Forty adult albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Three groups were exposcd to heated Raid mat overnight [about 10 hours] daily for 4, 8, 12 weeks respectively, the fourth group was used as a control. At the end of the periods of exposure, blood was taken for haematological and enzymatic analysis, the liver was removed for histological and histochemical studies. It was found that the R B Cs count and HB% were statistically decreased while the total W B Cs count and lymphocytes were statistically increased, the serum enzymes [ALT, AST, AP] were statistically increased. These haematological and biochemical changes were time related with exposure. The histological and histochemical changes of the liver were more marked in the third group