Effect of Arsenic (As) on the Spermatogenesis of Black Bengal Goat (Capra hircus) Reared at the Arsenic Prone Area of Mymensingh District in Bangladesh.

Aim: Arsenic (As) alters the spermatogenic process as well as testicular histology has been reported in different species of domestic, wild, aquatic life, and laboratory animals. The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of toxicity of arsenic poison on the spermatogenesis of the Black Bengal goat at the most arsenic polluted area of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh by using histopathological techniques. Methods: A total of 12 adult Black Bengal male goats (Capra hircus) were used in this study.Among these, 6 were selected from the arsenic polluted area, and the rest were from the less contaminated area as control. Goats were sacrificed by using conventional animal killing method adopted in the laboratory. Both the right and left testes were collected aseptically. Testicular tissues were cut perpendicular to the long axis of the testis and preserved in Bouin’s solution. Paraffin block was made and tissue sections were cut at 5-μm in thickness. Tissues were processed for routine hematoxylin and eosin and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)-hematoxylin stains. Thickness of tunica albugenia, spermatigenic cell layer, diameters of the seminiferous tubules, number of spermatogenic, sertoli, and leydig cells were counted and tabulated. Apoptotic spermatogenic cells were detected by using Apoptosis Detection Kit. The data collected was statistically analyzed for any significant differences between the arsenic exposed and control goats. Results: Our results revealed comparatively increased thickness of the tunica albugenia, wide intertubular spaces, low height of the spermatogenic cell layer, decreased diameter of the seminiferous tubules, decreased spermatogenic, sertoli, and leydig cell counts, and marked increased of apoptotic spermatogenic cells in the arsenic affected goats. The data differences between the arsenic affected and control goats were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our histopathological study revealed alteration of testicular tissues in arsenic affected goats. This morphological changes of testes significantly affected on the spermatogenic processes. But it was not possible to determine the possible stage of the spermatogenesis was interrupted by the arsenic. Decreased number of spermatogenic, sertoli, and leydig cell counts, and distinctly increased number of apoptotic spermatogenic cell indicates high toxic effects of arsenic poisoning on the male gonad. The mechanism of action of toxicity of the arsenic could not be understood clearly. It is suggested here that the Black Bengal goats can be experimentally used as animal model in the laboratory for investigating the role of arsenic on the reproduction of the domestic animals.

Light Microscopic and Immunohistochemical Study Revealed Sex-Dependent Kidney Morphology in DBA/2crSlc Mice.

Aim: Sex-dependent differences in kidney histology have been observed in different species of the laboratory animals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the sex and strain-dependent changes in DBA/2CrSlc mouse kidney morphology by using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Methods: A total of 12 DBA/2CrSlc male and female mice of 2 months of age were used in this study. Mice were sacrificed by exsanguination under anesthesia using a mixture of Ketamine and Medetomidine. Both right and left kidneys were removed aseptically and central slices including hilum were cut perpendicular to the long axis of the organ and preserved in Zamboni solution. Paraffin blocks were made and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and PAS stains to observe the general morphology of the kidney glomerulus. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect renin positive sites, expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS). Number of renin, COX-2 and nNOS positive sites were counted and tabulated. The data were statistically analyzed for any significant differences between male and female mice. Results: Our results reveal that the glomerular capsule of male mouse kidney was consisted of a single layer of simple cuboidal epithelium whereas it was a single layer of simple squamous epithelium in the female kidney. PAS-positive granules (small and giant granules) were observed in PST epithelium and collecting ducts in female kidney, but this feature was absent in male kidneys. Strong nNOS positive reaction for PST epithelium and collecting ducts was observed in female, but this character was absent in male kidney. The total number of glomeruli, renin, COX-2, and nNOS positive sites was comparatively higher in female kidneys then that in male. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences of the areas of renin, nNOS and COX-2-positive sites between the male and female kidneys (P<0.05). Conclusion: Light microscopic and immunohistochemical study revealed sex-dependent histological morphology of the DBA/2CrSlc mouse kidney. DBA/2CrSlc female mouse kidney revealed renin, COX-2 and nNOS -positive reactions in the present study but male mice showed nNOS-negative reaction. The reason for nNOS-negative reaction in male is not clearly understood. It is suggested that this species can be experimentally used in the laboratory for investigating kidney function and related pathological studies.

Arsenic in Eggs and Excreta of Laying Hens in Bangladesh: A Preliminary Study

The aim of this study was to detect arsenic concentrations in feed, well-water for drinking, eggs, and excreta of laying hens in arsenic-prone areas of Bangladesh and to assess the effect of arsenic-containing feed and well-water on the accumulation of arsenic in eggs and excreta of the same subject. One egg from each laying hen (n=248) and its excreta, feed, and well-water for drinking were collected. Total arsenic concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, coupled with hydride generator. Effects of arsenic-containing feed and drinking-water on the accumulation of arsenic in eggs and excreta were analyzed by multivariate regression model, using Stata software. Mean arsenic concentrations in drinkingwater, feed (dry weight [DW]), egg (wet weight [WW]), and excreta (DW) of hens were 77.3, 176.6, 19.2, and 1,439.9 ppb respectively. Significant (p<0.01) positive correlations were found between the arsenic contents in eggs and drinking-water (r=0.602), drinking-water and excreta (r=0.716), feed and excreta (r=0.402) as well as between the arsenic content in eggs and the age of the layer (r=0.243). On an average, 55% and 82% of the total variation in arsenic contents of eggs and excreta respectively could be attributed to the variation in the geographic area, age, feed type, and arsenic contents of drinking-water and feed. For each week’s increase in age of hens, arsenic content in eggs increased by 0.94%. For every 1% elevation of arsenic in drinking-water, arsenic in eggs and excreta increased by 0.41% and 0.44% respectively whereas for a 1% rise of arsenic in feed, arsenic in eggs and excreta increased by 0.40% and 0.52% respectively. These results provide evidence that, although high arsenic level prevails in well-water for drinking in Bangladesh, the arsenic shows low biological transmission capability from body to eggs and, thus, the value was below the maximum tolerable limit for humans. However, arsenic in drinking-water and/or feed makes a significant contribution to the arsenic accumulations in eggs and excreta of laying hens.

In-vitro relationship between protein-binding and free drug concentrations of a water-soluble selective beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist (atenolol) and its interaction with arsenic.

The degree of binding of a drug to plasma proteins has a marked effect on its distribution, elimination, and pharmacological effect since only the unbound fraction is available for distribution into extra-vascular space. The protein-binding of atenolol was measured by equilibrium dialysis in the bovine serum albumin (BSA). Free atenolol concentration was increased due to addition of arsenic which reduced the binding of the compounds to BSA. During concurrent administration, arsenic displaced atenolol from its high-affinity binding Site I, and free concentration of atenolol increased from 4.286 +/- 0.629% and 5.953 +/- 0.605% to 82.153 +/- 1.924% and 85.486 +/- 1.158% in absence and presence of Site I probe respectively. Thus, it can be suggested that arsenic displaced atenolol from its binding site resulting in an increase of the free atenolol concentration in plasma.

Polypoid gall bladder lesions: is it necessary for immediate surgery?

Ultrasonographic study of hepatobiliary system was done in 481 patients with acute right hypochondriac pain to find out any pathology in hepatobiliary system. A total of 57 patients with polypoid lesions in gall bladder were diagnosed and underwent extensive follow-up. In 31 patients, who underwent surgery, the histological findings were cholesterol polyp/cholesterosis (n=14), cholesterosis with fibrous displasia of gall bladder (n=7), adenomyomatosis (n=3), hyperplastic cholecystosis (n=5) and adenocarcinoma (n=2). Remaining 26 patients were under follow-up up to 18 months from first diagnosis. Though most of the polyps diagnosed on ultrasound appeared to be benign without any risk of malignant transformation, it, however, may be recommended to go for surgery in a persistent symptomatic patient.

Hypoglycemic effect of Catharanthus roseus in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The effects of crude juice (at 0.5 and 1 ml/kg b.w.) and aqueous extract (at 0.30 and 0.45 gm/kg b.w.) of leaves of Catharanthus roseus on serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were examined at 8 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours following single oral administration. The administration of crude juice at 1 ml/kg b.w. continued for another 9 doses (total 10 single morning doses given) and its effect was examined on the 4th and 11th day. The rats were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 45 mg/kg b.w. Glibenclamide was used in the study for comparison. The crude leaf juice at 0.5 and 1 ml/kg b.w. reduced the serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats throughout the 24-hour period significantly (P varies between 0.05 and 0.001 at different times). The aqueous extract at 0.30 and 0.45 gm/kg reduced the serum glucose level in streptozotocin diabetic rats at 8 and 12 hour significantly (P varies between 0.05 to 0.01 at different times) but not at the 24 hour. Glibenclamide, at 500 mug/kg, also reduced the serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats throughout the 24-hour period (P<0.001).The crude leaf juice at 1 ml/kg also significantly reduced the serum glucose level in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats on the 4th and 11th day (P<0.001 on both occasions). The effect of crude leaf juice at 1 ml/kg b.w administered daily orally over a 10 day period was also examined on a group of normal rats at different times. The study showed significant reduction at 8 hr (P<0.05), 12 hr, 24 hr and on the 4th day (P<0.01 on these 3 occasions) and also on the 11th day (P<0.001).