Role of zinc administration on the effect of lead on the ovary of adult female albino rats. Histological and histochemical study

ABSTRACT

The risk of lead exposure and lead poisoning has been a major area of concern for several years mainly for women in both industrialized and developing counteries. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of chronic lead exposure on the ovary of adult female albino rats, and the role of zinc supplementation. Thirty adult female virgin albino rats were utilized in this study. They were classified into three equal groups, the 1[st] group was administered 1ml dist. Water orally and served as control group. The 2[nd] group [Lead - treated group] was administered lead acetate at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.wt. orally. The 3[rd] group [Zinc - supplemented group] was administered lead acetate as in tile 2[nd] group and zinc sulphate at a dose of 1mg /kg b. wt. orally. At the end of three months, animals were killed and ovaries were dissected out, fixd in 10% formol saline and processed for histological and histochemical studies using Hx, E, Masson Trichrome, PAS and Methyl Green and Pyronine stains. Tile histological and histochemical results revealed that chronic lead exposure resulted in degenerative changes in the ovaries and these changes were ameliorated with coadministration of zinc. This protective effect of zine could be attributed to differential distribution of lead, either because of competition between lead and zinc or displacement of lead by zinc