Effect of methotrexate on the development of the gonads of the chick embryo

In the preset work 50 fresh fertile Dokki-4-eggs, each injected with a therapeutic dose of methotrexate [0.03 mgm/embryo] on the 8th and 13th day of incubation. The second group of 10 eggs, each injected with saline on the 8th and 13th day of incubation and was regarded as the control group. The embryos were extracted on the 20th day of incubation and fixed in Bouin's fluid for one day. Paraffin sections were prepared in usual manner and stained with routine Hx. And E. Ovaries of 20 days old treated embryos showed marked reduction in size. The germinal epithelium formed buds of both mesenchymal and primordial germ cells protruding through underneath tissue. The secondary tunica albuginea became very thick and the long cortical cords were replaced by small scattered cortical patches. The primary tunica albuginea and medulla were similar to the control. Testes of 20 days old treated embryos had thin layer of germinal epithelium. The tunica albuginea became difficult to be recognized, stroma markedly decreased and the interstitial cells became also scanty. The seminiferous tubules lost their normal shape, arrangement and were lined by several layers of ill defined cells

Effect of hydrocortisone on the postnatal development of the kidney in the albino rats

Fifty newly born rats were used in this work. They were divided into 2 groups. The 1st group of 10 animals was injected with a therapeutic dose of hydrocortisone [100 mg]. The drug was given intraperitoneally on the 1st and 2nd day after birth. The second group of 5 animals was injected intraperitoneally with [saline] and was regarded as a control group. Paraffin sections were prepared in the usual manner and stained with routine Hx. and E., and Masson's trichrome. One week after birth, the kidneys of treated animals showed a reduction in the size of the glomeruli. The tubules were closely packed with areas of cloudy swelling. The stroma and blood vessels were within normal. Two weeks after birth, the glomeruli and tubules were loosely arranged the glomeruli appeared normal as regards to their configuration and cellularity. However, some of them showed shrinkage and condensation of their glomerular capillary tufts. The tubules showed intensive cloudy swelling with some areas of focal necrosis. The stroma showed various degrees of oedema everywhere