Electronmieroscopic Findings of the Rat Retina Following Intraperitoneal Injection of 2,4-Dichlorophepoxyacetie Acid

ABSTRACT

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is a component of agent orange, which was spread during Vietnam War. Due to the toxicity of this agent, several diseases may be occuring today, potentially causing social problem. The author tried to take as preliminary information for a further clinical study by examining whether 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid makes any change in the retina of a white rat histopathologically. The objects were 6 white rats of 200-300 gm in weight. After diluting 40% 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, it was injected intraperitoneally into the rats at the levels of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg of agent. The eyeballs of the each groups were enucleated on 24 hours and 3 days and examinated with an electron microscope. Histopathological changes in the retina were characterized by the degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelial cells, the photoreceptor cells, and the choriocapillaris. To prove that 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid injures human retina, experiments with futher various plans and epidemiological surveys should be provided.