Publication details
Heavy metals and their distribution in chosen organs of foetus of laboratory mice
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Morphology 2008 - book of abstracts (44 th International Congress on Anatomy and 45th Lojda Symposium on Histochemistry |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Keywords | heavy metals, mice, |
| Description | Toxicity of heavy metals and their influence on human s and animal s health was studied many times before. Particular cognition about penetration of heavy metals over the placenta to the embryo is very limited or quite is missing. Therefore we have decided by the histochemical metod to chart the distribution of heavy metals (which were administered to the pregnant females in food) in foetus of laboratory mouse and to determine possible sites of their cumulation. The results were compared with chosen mother s tissues and control groups. Method described by Pearse, which is based on conversion of metal on to specific sulphide which conjugates with silver, was used for metals detection. Experimental collection contained 40 pregnant females – 10 for control, 10 for by lead, 10 for by mercury and 10 for by cadmium in dose 0,03 mg of metal/mouse/day. Obtained tissue samples were processed by standard methods for purposes electron microscopy. The histochemical reaction was performed on maked cuts. Experiments with laboratory mouse were perfomed with approval of expert commission in accordance to law term 311/1997 Sb. Already in light microscopy we observed penetration of heavy metals into the all parenchymal organs of foetus with predilection in organs with high metabolic activities. In comparison with select organs described in mother, the reactive product in embryo was present in considerable higher quantity. We noticed significant afinity of heavy metals to the nucleic acids and from it resulting localization of reactive product especially in nucleolus, nucleus and ribosomes. In some cells we proved morphological changes in structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. We noticed also accumulation of the reactive product in the phagocytic cells. Unexpected discovery was „ contrasting“ of the collagenous fibrils. Significant accumulation of the reactive product we noticed in the cells showing apoptotic transformation. We can submit, that the placenta does not affect as a filter barrier against penetration of heavy metals into the foetus. Embryonal tissues even cumulate considerable higher quantity of heavy metals than mother tissues. Our observations confirm penetration of heavy metals across the biomembranes into the interior of the cells, where disturbing morphology of the organels. In view of the fact that is considerable the cumulation in the nucleolus, nucleus and ribosomes, we can conclude on the possible intervention to the mechanism of the cell division.This fact should be certify the discovery of the reactive product in the apoptotic changing cells. The posibility, whether causes the heavy metals till the death of the cells for the time being we can neither eliminate not confirm. |