Effect of gestational diabetes and maternal hypertension on gross morphology of placenta

Gestational diabetes is much more common than pre-existing diabetes i.e. it complicates 2% to 5% of pregnancies. When metabolic control is good, perinatal mortality should be no higher than in general population. However, macrosomia continuous to be a problem in higher than average proportions of such cases. Macrosomia also involves placenta within the chronic hypertensive disease, the most common diagnosis is essential vascular hypertension. Total 60 full term placenta, 20 from normal and 20 each from gestational diabetics and chronic hypertensive mothers were studied grossly. Shape, attachment of umbilical cord, weight, diameter and central thickness of all placentas were noted. The study demonstrates that there is change of shape i.e. two lobes in one placenta from diabetic group. All other placentae were singly lobed and discoidal shape with central attachment of umbilical cord to the foetal surface of placenta. Weight central thickness and diameter were significantly greater in diabetic group as compared to normal and hypertensive group. Hypertensive group shows non significant decrease in weight of placentae while there was no change in central thickness and diameter of placenta in hypertensive than the normal group. Conclusions: On the basis of results of present study, it is concluded that diabetic's placentae showed increase in weight, central thickness and diameter. One out of 20 placentae in diabetic group also showed change of shape and attachment of umbilical cord to one love. Hypertensive's placentae showed no significant change in weight, shape central thickness and attachment of umbilical cord when compared with normal group

Effects of ciprofloxacin on secondary ossification centers in juvenile wistar albino rats

Administration of quinolone therapy is controversial during juvenile age as stated by earlier workers. The fluroquinolones are currently not indicated for young children, because of the arthropathy and adverse effect on growing cartilage shown by studies. However the effects of ciprofloxacin on secondary ossification centers has remained undocumented. This study is therefore aimed to determine the risk of Ciprofloxacin administration on neonatal skeletal differentiation by a prospective and comparative animal study model using Wistar albino rats. Ciprofloxacin was administered to newly born Wistar albino rat pups at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally twice daily from day-1 to day-14 after birth. These animals were killed by deep ether anaesthesia and fixed in 80% alcohol. They were then bulk stained with Alizarin red and Alcian blue. Finally they were cleared in 4% KOH and stored in glycerin. The fore and hind limbs were disarticulated from the axial skeleton and observed under stereomicroscope for evidence of skeletal differentiation in the form of presence of secondary ossification centers in long hones [left humerus and left femur]. The time of appearance of these centers were noted and compared statistically with those in control animals. The study revealed that the skeletal differentiation in long bones was delayed by 2.4 + 0.2 days at both proximal and distal ends in humerus and 2.4 + 0.2 days at proximal end and 2.2 + 0.2 days at distal end of femur in experimental animals as compared with controls. The ciprofloxacin administration during post-natally presents a risk to skeletal differentiation and therefore to its growth upto the age of six weeks is albino rate pups

Effects of maternal smoking on placental morphology

Back ground: Maternal smoking is one of leading causes of premature labour and low birth weight babies. Nicotine and carbon monoxide both induce degenerative changes as well as premature aging of placenta. Degenerative changes induce increased amount of collagen in chorionic villi and increased thickness of subtrophoblastic basement membrane. Premature aging is indicated by increased number of syncytial buds and higher percentage of apoptosis in smoker's placentae. Premature aging and degenerative changes may reduce the functional component of placenta and lead to abnormal outcome of pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the effects of maternal smoking on placental morphology. Total 40 full term placentae, 20 from normal and 20 from smoker mothers were studied histologically. Full thickness pieces of each placenta from standard area were taken for paraffin embedment. Four micron thick sections were cut on rotary microtome and stained with haematoxylin and Eosin, Malloryis trichrome and hexamine silver for syncytial buds, Apoptotic cells, chorionic villous collagen and Subtrophoblastic basement membrane. This study demonstrates that there is extensive aging and degenerative changes in smoker's placentae. The aging process is shown by increased syncytial buds per unit area and high percentage of apoptosis. Degenerative changes are indicated by increased amount of collagen in chorionic villi and increased thickness of subtrophoblastic basement membrane. Extensive premature aging and degenerative changes in smoker's placentae decrease the functional component of an organ, reducing its nutritive and excretory functions. This may be the cause of low birth weight babies in smokers. Extensive loss of trophoblasts by apoptosis and syncytial buds may lead to hormonal imbalance and premature labour in smokers

Microscopic analysis of epidermal melanocytes in human abdominal skin

Microscopic analysis of epidermal melanocytes in human abdominal skin with respect to age and sex. Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy. BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. About one year in 1998. Subjects and Demonstration of epidermal melanocytes in 5mm thick vertical paraffin embedded sections of thirty-eight skin samples from different age and sex groups, using dihydroxyphenyl alanine [Dopa] reagent. The melanocytes count per unit area of skin was significantly higher in the younger than older age groups. No significant difference was noticed between males and females epidermal melanocytes counts. Distribution of epidermal melanocytes was inversely proportional to the advancing age. However, there was no significant gender differences in the distribution of epidermal melanocytes

Effects of carbimazole on morphology of rat adrenals

Study was conducted to investigate the effects of [i] carbimazole and [ii] simultaneous administration of thyroxine [thyroid hormone analogue] on the morphology of rat adrenals. Design: A prospective case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], JPMC, Karachi, during a peroid of six weeks. Methology: The study was conducted on albino rats originally obtained from Charles River Breeding Laboratories, Brooklyn, Massachusetts, USA, and were cross bred, housed and maintained on balanced diet in the Animal House of BMSI, JPMC, Karachi.Eighteen adult albino rats used in the experiment were divided into three groups, i.e. A, B and C, each comprising 6 animals as control, carbimazole-treated, and carbimazole plus thyroxine-treated animals respectively. At the end of six weeks treatment all the animals were sacrificed and their adrenal glands removed, fixed, sectioned and stained with H and E and Sudan black. The histology of adrenals, width of cortex and its zones, and number of cells in different zones of cortex was studied. Carbimazole affects the morphology of adult rat adrenals by decreasing the total width of cortex and its zones especially the zona fasciculata with decrease in number of cells. It also showed the increase in fat contents on Sudan black staining. Carbimazole causes shrinkage of the adrenal cortex

Protective effect of vitamin E against nicotine induced morphological changes in rat testis

To evaluate the protective effect of vitamin-E against nicotine induced toxicity in the testis of rats. Design: Experimental study of rat testis. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Subjects: Thirty male adult albino rats were divided in three equal groups, i.e. Normal Control group [A], nicotine- treated - group [B] and vitamin E plus nicotine treated group[C]. Vitamin-E was given as 10mg/ animal, while nicotine as 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 19 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. Their testis were removed and processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E and PAS. Simultaneous administration of vitamin-E and nicotine showed protective effect of vitamin E against the nicotine induced toxicity, with a highly significant [P < 0.001] increase in the count and diameter of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of germinal epithelium also the number of interstitial cell nuclei. There was a significant [P < 0.01] increase in the diameter of interstitial cell nuclei in comparison with the toxic changes produced by nicotine. Nicotine induced toxicity may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats

Perchloroethylene induced nephropathies in albino rats

To evaluate the effect of perch loroethylene in inducing nephrophaties. 30 adult albino rats of either sex were divided in to three equal groups; Normal control 'A', Sesame Oil Control 'B' and Tetrachlcroethylen treated group 'C' injected with tetrachloroethylen 3mg/kg for 15 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed their kidneys removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E, PAS and alcian blue. Tetrachloroethylene induces marked swelling of renal tubular cells with lumina filled with cellular debris and casts. Hyaline fibrinoid droplets were found in proximal tubular cells. Tetrachloroethylene induces, changes suggestive of protenacious nephropathy

morphological study of pancreatic islets in nondiabetic and diabetic rats

To investigate the morphological differences in the pancreatic regions derived from dorsal and ventral primordia of non diabetic and diabetic rats. Light microscopic study of pancreatic islets in normal rats and in rats made diabetic by streptozotocin. Fourteen adult albino rats of JPMC strain were divided into two equal groups. A [non diabetic] and B [diabetic]. Diabetes was induced in group B ani mals by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 32 mg/Kg body weight. The rats were killed by ether over dose and the pancreas were divided into four regions: lower duodenal derived from ventral lonbe and upper duodenal gastric and splenic derived from dorsal lobe. Sections from each region were stained with H and E and chrome alum haematoxylin and phloxin. In non diabetic rats the splenic region had more numerous and larger islets with greater number of cells while upper duodenal region had fewer and smaller islets. Mean number of cells was directly proportional to the islet diameter. In the lower duodenal region the islets were smaller than those in splenic and gastric regions but significantly larger than those in the upper duodenal region. In the diabetic rats the islets were reduced in size, number and cellular content in all the regions when compared with the corresponding regions of non diabetic rats. Mean number of B cells showed a highly significant decrease [P < 0.001] in all the four regions. Distinct regional differences exist in the pancreatic regions derived from dorsal and ventral lobes and also among the three regions derived from the dorsal lobe in non diabetic rats. In diabetic animals the same regional differences were observed but there was an overall decrease in number and size of the islets and their cellular content

Effects of tetrachloroethylene and vitamin E on renal parenchyma of albino rats

To evaluate the role of vitamin 'E' against tetrachloroethylene induced nephropathies. Fifty adult albino rats of either sex were divided into five equal groups; normal control [A], sesame oil control [A2], tetrachloroethylene treated group [B], experimental group [C] and vitamin 'E' control [D], In group C vitamin 'E' [10 mg/animal] was injected simultaneously with tetrachloroethylene [3mg/kg] for 15 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. There kindneys removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E, PAS and Alcian Blue. Simultaneous administration of vitamin 'E' and tetrachloroethylene showed unaltered morphology of renal cortical parenchyma, comparable with that of group A1, A2 and D kidneys, except slight proximal tubular dilatation. Tetrachloroethlene induced nephropathy may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats

Craniofacial alterations in adult rats after acute prenatal alcohol exposure

Exposure during pregnancy to alcohol [ethanol] produces a number of adverse effects. One of them is fetal alcohol syndrome. The hallmark of fetal alcohol syndrome [FAS] is craniofacial dysmorphism and the changes in craniofacial measurement are dependent on the alcoholic dose and its time of exposure. Since prenatal ethanol exposure can alter craniofacial development in rodents and reliably produce long-term behavioral effect in them, the present study was designed to extend the same changes in the Sprague Dawley species. The albino rat was studied to determine whether gestational exposure to alcohol [Ethanol] produces permanent craniofacial effect. On gestational day [GD7-10] 25% ethanol was injected intraperitonealy to pregnant rats. Various dimensions for skull and face of adult male rats were taken. Both vertical and coronal dimensions were altered in the exposed animals. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that exposure to ethanol on a critical gestational period produces permanent craniofacial defects

optimum dose of nicotinamide for protection of pancreatic Beta-cells against the cytotoxic effect of streptozotocin in albino rat

The natural course of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by progressive destruction of insulin producing Beta-cells of the pancreas resulting from an autoimmune process. The toxic effect of some Beta-cells toxins like streptozotocin [used to produce animal models of IDDM] has been associated with the oxidative stress due to enhanced DNA repair and NAD depletion in damaged Beta-cells. This activity of streptozotocin has been prevented with the use of nicotinamide. A light microscopic study was designed to determine the optimum dose of nicotinamide required for protection of pancreatic Beta cells against the toxicity of streptozotocin. 35 adult male albino rats were divided into five equal groups A, B, C, D and E. the duration of study was 14 days. The animals in experimental groups C, D and E received a single intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide 250 mg/Kg, 350 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg respectively on day one. Animals in group A and B acted as normal control and diabetic control respectively. All the animals except those in group A received simultaneous injection of streptozotocin 32 mg /Kg body weight intraperitoneally in a single dose. Fasting blood glucose was assessed and the animals weighed before starting the treatment, after 48 hours and at the end of the experimental period. Histological studies were carried out at the end of the study period. The blood glucose level and the final body weight of the animals in group C matched the values in diabetic control. Histologically the pancreas had generally reduced Beta-cells mass [P < 0.001] with altered morphology. The animals in group D showed impaired glucose tolerance at 48 hours but were normoglycaemic at the end of the study period. There was some loss of Beta-cells but a significant number of these cells [P < 0.05] showing normal morphology were saved. The animals in group E had normal number of P-cells having normal morphological features. The final body weight and fasting blood glucose of these animals matched the values in normal control [group A]. Conclusions: These data suggest that the optimum dose of nicotinamide in regard to prevention against the Beta-cytotoxic effect of streptozotocin in albino rat is 500 mg/Kg body weight

motor unit population of the rat hind limb muscles

I. To localize and estimate the size, number and segmental distribution of motoneurons whose axons form the tibial nerve [TN] and common peroneal nerve [CPN] in albino rat. II. To localize the motor end-plates on skeletal myofibres supplied by TN and CPN. Ill. The average size of motor unit was assessed as the ratio between the number of alpha motoneurons of the nerve and the motor end-plates innervated by that nerve. SETTING: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. SUBJECTS: Male adult albino rats of Charles River Strain. PERIOD: One year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Horseadish peroxidase [HRP] method of tracing neuronal technique for TN and CPN motoneurons. For localization of motor end-plates, Bromo-indigo and urea-silver method was used in adult albino rat. The motoneurons forming the TN and CPN extended between caudal part of L3 to rostral part of S1 segment of the spinal cord. The somal diameter of motoneurons for TN ranged between 18 and 54 [micro]m and for CPN between 12 and 56 [micro]m. The motoneurons measuring more than 25 [micro]m [presumably alpha neurons] were 75.3% for TN and 78.1% for CPN. A total of 690 motor units with the size of 39 skeletal myofibres innervated by TN and 396 units with the size of 28 skeletal myofibres innervated by CPN have been observed in the present study