effect of methionine on molinate-induced changes in the structure of the testis and the liver of adult albino rat. histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study

ABSTRACT

Molinate [Thiocarbmate] is a herbicide widely used in rice culture. Methionine, an essential amino acid, is a glutathione precursor. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of methionine against molinate induced testicular and hepatic changes in adult albino rat. Thirty male adult rats were used in this study. They were classified into five groups [six animals each]. Group I control group. Group II included rats which were given oral doses of methionine [150 mg. /kg. body weight] daily for three weeks. Group III comprised rats which received equivalent amounts of corn oil daily for three weeks. Group IV in which the rats were given oral doses of molinate [40 mg. /kg.body weight] daily for three weeks. Group V the animals were given both molinate and methionine as the previous doses and duration. The testes of animals of group IV showed distortion of the seminiferous tubules [SNT] with dilatation and congestion of the intertubular and the capsular blood vessles.Accumulation of interstitial exudate was seen inbetween the damaged tubules. Disorganization of the spermatogenic cells with appearance of intercellular spaces were observed. Focal areas of necrosis were noticed in other SNT. There was an increase in the thickness of the limiting membrane of the SNT. Thickening and splitting of the tunica albuginea were also seen.Reduction in the alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the limiting membranes of the SNT. In the livers of these animals, most of the hepatocytes appeared vacuolated with pyknosis of their nuclei. The cytoplasm of the hepatocytes showed reduction in its mitochondrial content as well as its glycogen granules. Dilatation and congestion of the central veins were noticed. An increase in the collagen content with mononuclear cellular infiltration were detected around the dilated blood vessles in the portal areas. There was an increase in the intensity of the immunostaining for the unspliced Bcl-X [a proapoptotic protein] in the liver cells especially in the centrilobular zones. These testicular and hepatic lesions were markedly reduced following concomitant administration of methionine with molinate