Seasonal variation in physicochemical parameters and heavy metals in water of Upper Lake of Bhopal.

Heavy metal pollution of fresh water is the single most important environmental threat to the future. Upper Lake is a freshwater lake, which is the major source of drinking water in the city of Bhopal, the capital city of M.P., the central province of India, but due to anthropogenic activities this lake is being polluted. During the investigation heavy metals and physicochemical parameters were analyzed to determine the water quality seasonally in the year of 2006 and 2007. All the physicochemical parameters except DO (6.50-6.97 mg l⁻¹), Free CO2 (0.8-1.6 mg l⁻¹) and BOD (5.47-6.85 mg l⁻¹) were below the prescribed limit as recommended by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water standards. In case of heavy metals, Ni (0.173-0.253 mg l⁻¹) and Cr (0.047-0.087 mg l⁻¹) were found beyond the prescribed limits (0.02 and 0.05 mg l⁻¹, respectively), whereas Pb (0.057-0.087 mg l⁻¹), Cu (0.016-0.020 mg l⁻¹) and Hg (0.0006-0.0011 mg l⁻¹) were within the safe limit. This study reveals that water of upper lake is partially polluted with heavy metals. It is recommended that strict vigilance and constant monitoring are needed to maintain water quality of the lake, which is a major source of potable water for the Bhopal city.

Effect of third ventricle injection of GABA to feeding responses and blood sugar in intact and ovariectomized female rats.

Injections into third ventricle of brain of either 4 m Molar or 8 m Molar of GABA were given to intact and ovariectomized female rats to evaluate the effects of these dosages on body weight, food intake, water intake and blood glucose levels. Statistically significant reduction in food and water intake with 8 m Molar GABA was observed in intact female rats. Very precise alterations seen in ovariectomized female rats suggested that GABA could demonstrate more profound effects on body weight, food intake and water intake. Blood glucose level was elevated in both the groups with 4 m Molar GABA, while inhibition was seen with 8 m Molar GABA. These observations have been correlated with trophic hormonal profiles, which are modulated by third ventricle GABA injection or it might have had some intervention on hypothalamic mechanisms regulating these functions.

Correlative histochemical and biochemical studies on the adenosine triphosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase in the epididymis of mice after alpha-chlorohydrin treatment.

The present paper deals with the correlative histochemical and biochemical studies of the epididymis following the treatments of alpha-chlorohydrin. This drug was administered in chronic low dose (15 mg/kg body weight/day) for 20 and 30 days and a single high dose (90 mg/kg body weight). Histochemical alterations of ATPase, SDH and AChE were studied in various components of epididymal epithelium and the total enzyme content was measured by biochemical parameters. The study shows progressive decrease of the enzymes in the interstitium and the epithelium of both the caput and cauda epididymes with increasing dose and duration, except for the high dose effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on AChE. Since alpha-chlorohydrin decreases the androgen dependent enzymes (ATPase, SDH, AChE), there is a possibility that the drug may be antiandrogenic in nature. In such case the action of these drugs may not be directly on the spermatozoa, as proposed by earlier workers, but is mediated by changing the physiology of the epididymis, affecting the milieu in which the spermatozoa mature.

A comparative histochemical mapping of acid phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase and non-specific esterase in the olfactory bulbs of rabbit and hedgehog.

The paper deals with comparative account of the distribution of acid phosphatase 5-nucleotidase and non-specific esterase in the olfactory bulbs of rabbit and hedgehog. The acid phosphatase is observed in all the neurons of both the animals. However, the concentration of the enzyme is higher in hedgehog as compared to rabbit. The intensity of 5-nucleotidase in all the layers of olfactory bulb of hedgehog is stronger than in the rabbit. Intensity of non-specific esterase is quite higher in the olfactory bulb of rabbit than of hedgehog. Along with comparison the distribution of these enzymes have been correlated with their role in the olfactory senses.