Limb Defects in Developing Chick Embryos after Administration of Glucose

Objective: To assess the role of administered glucose on gross development of limbs of the chick embryos, in comparison with age matched controls. Materials and Methods: Fertilized eggs of Egyptian Fayyumi breed were injected with glucose (5% weight/volume solution) into egg albumen. The eggs were put in the incubator under standard conditions of temperature and humidity. Eggs were divided in two groups, control (A) and experimental (B). Each group is subdivided in two subgroups comprising of 30 eggs each. Eggs were opened on day 10 of incubation in subgroup (A1, B1) while eggs from subgroup (A2, B2) were allowed to hatch on day 21 or day 22 of incubation. The exposed embryos were compared with age matched control subgroups. Effects of glucose were assessed by observing limb defects in the embryos from two groups. Results: The experimental animals had limb defects manifested as absent, one hind limb in 5 out of 53 (9.433%). Both hind limbs were absent in 6/53 (11.32%). In turned phalanges with inability to stand and limping gait was found in 8/53 (13.79%). No embryo of the control group demonstrated such findings. Conclusion: Administration of glucose resulted malformation such as limb defects and turned digits in growing chick embryos.&nbsp

Teratogenic Effect of Sodium Phenytoin on Limb Development in Chick Embryos is Time-Mediated as Evident by Stereomicroscope

Background: Women suffering from seizure-related illnesses are prescribed phenytoin during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. But the teratogenic effect of this drug on limb development needs exploration. This study was designed to investigate the time-mediated teratogenic effect of sodium phenytoin on limb development of chick embryos on days 04 and 09 of development using the stereomicroscope and at the time of hatching. Material and Methods: This randomized control trial comprised of two main groups of fertilized chicken eggs (Egyptian Fayoumi breed), control group A and experimental group B, each having 90 eggs. Each experimental egg was injected with sodium phenytoin (3.5 mg, teratogenic dose) just before incubation. Both the groups were divided into three subgroups each A1, A2, & A3/B1, B2 & B3. Stereomicroscope was used to observe the limb buds and cartilaginous elements in subgroups 1 and 2 on days 04 and 09 of development respectively. The embryos of subgroups 3 were assessed for gross limb deformities on hatching. Survival was noted in all the subgroups.Results: The difference in limb bud size between experimental and controls was statistically insignificant. There was no variation or deformity in the bones. The experimental group 3 had gross limb defects on hatching and the difference in survival was also statistically significant in subgroups 3.Conclusion: Prenatal administration of sodium phenytoin induces limb defects in chick embryos as evident after hatching but limb anomalies are not observed on days 04 and 09 of development as investigated by stereomicroscope. We conclude that the teratogenic effect of phenytoin is time-mediated

Histomorphological effects of sodium arsenite on uterus of rats

Background: Arsenic is highly toxic agent and a risk factor for disease and disability. Arsenic is present in drinking water of many developing and developed countries including Pakistan and due to rapid industrialization its quantity in soil and water is increasing day by day.Methods: In an 18 month study in which we took two principal groups, labelled as control group A and experimental group B. The animals of experimental group B were administered 4 µg of sodium arsenite dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days. The uterus was removed and processed for paraffin embedding and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E). The histological parameters; uterine luminal diameter, height of uterine luminal epithelium, area occupied by epithelial component of uterine glands and the thickness of myometrium were measured and evaluated by civil AutoCAD 2013 software. The data was analyzed statistically with the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).Results: Histological results showed the degenerative effects. The luminal diameter of uterine horns was reduced in experimental animals. The height of uterine epithelium was reduced. Area occupied by epithelial component of uterine glands was reduced along the reduction in the thickness of myometrium.Conclusions: The histological abnormalities observed in uterus showed that the degenerative effects may be due to oxidative stress produced by the exposure to sodium arsenite. As sodium arsenite produces the oxidative stress by the formation of free radicals and by the denaturation of proteins