Clinical Symptoms and Histological Changes in Poecilia reticulata following Gamma-Ray Irradiation

Lethality, food intake, clinical symptoms and terminal histological changes were followed after gamma-irradiation with doses of 10, 20, 30, 35 and 40 Gy in guppy, Poecilia reticulata. Clinical symptoms, food intake and longevity were also monitored in the progeny of fish irradiated with a dose of 10 Gy. In the first days after irradiation timidity and lethargy were observed. After doses of 30, 35 and 40 Gy, these symptoms were accompanied with anorexia. The most prominent clinical symptoms observed were emaciation, hampered breathing, exophthalmia and haemorrhages. Histological findings corresponded with these symptoms. In the fish irradiated with 10 or 20 Gy the progeny survived, after a dose of 30 Gy the progeny died within 24 hours after birth and after doses of 35 and 40 Gy dead progeny was born. The survival data provide an estimate of LD50/30 equal to 29 Gy. Higher relative mortality and more severe clinical symptoms were observed in females. The progeny of irradiated parent fish grew and survived for 3 months maximum

Rizikové faktory potravového reťazca V

Abstract In this study the effect of single cadmium, cadmium + selenium and cadmium + zinc administration on the ovarian structure of Japanese quails was studied. The morphometric analysis of the relative volume of primary follicles detected the highest value in control group with a similar value in the group with administration of cadmium with selenium. Lower relative volume is reported in group with cadmium and zinc administration and the group with simple cadmium administration (P<0.05). The relative volume of growing follicles was very similar in all studied groups (11.33 -15.35%), and the relative volume of stroma was very stable (82.59 -86.45%). In the evaluation of the number of follicles undergoing atresia significantly higher number of atretic primary follicles as well as growing follicles in the group with cadmium administration and cadmium with selenium administration in comparison with control group was found. In comparison of normal and atretic follicles we report the most negative effect on ovarian structure in group with cadmium administration. Selenium co-administration show protective effects but only the co-administration with zinc prevent significant cadmium ovarian alterations

Effect of Nickel Administration in vivo on the Testicular Structure in Male Mice

The aim of this study was to describe the effects of nickel (NiCl2) on murine testicular structure. Experimental animals were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 20 mg NiCl2 per kg of body mass (group A, n = 5) and 40 mg NiCl2 per kg b. m. (group B, n = 5). The group without injection (n = 5) was the control (C). Animals were killed 48 hours after administration of nickel. The body mass of animals, the mass of testes and the testes : body mass ratio were not significantly affected. In both experimental groups a significant (p p p < 0.05 - 0.001) after nickel administration. Evaluation of the lumen diameter in the seminiferous tubule showed a significant increase in both experimental groups. The data of the perimeter of seminiferous tubules corresponded with those of the seminiferous tubule diameter. TUNEL assay detected a higher frequency of localized apoptosis in the interstitium of nickel-administered animals compared to control group. Our findings clearly suggest a negative effect of nickel on the structure as well as on the function of the seminferous epithelium at the site of spermatozoa production

Effect of Long-Term Hypodynamy on Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Small Intestine in Japanese Quail Chicks

The functional development of the small intestine was investigated in Japanese quail chicks subjected to simulated microgravity (hypodynamy) on the second day after hatching and reared under these conditions to 63 days of age. On days 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56 and 63 the activity of brush-border-bound alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the duodenum and jejunum were determined in experimental animals as well as in control quail chicks housed in a floor box during these periods. As compared with control quails the experimental animals displayed a significantly increased enzyme activity until day 42 in the duodenum and day 35 in the jejunum (P < 0.001) whereas in older quails no significant enzymatic differences between these groups was found. However, a decrease in food consumption due to a partial physical constraint cannot be excluded. Moreover, the results suggested that the activity of AP in the control birds did not change substantially during all the periods examined. In contrast, in older hypodynamy quail the AP activity significantly decreased in the duodenum on days 56 and 63 and in the jejunum on days 42, 56 and 63, respectively. These results indicate that a) the enhanced intestinal function in early periods of life may reflect the higher sensitivity of small intestine to simulated weightlessness, b) the decrease of the AP activity in older animals to the level of controls might be considered as a part of intestinal mechanisms involved in adaptation of quail chicks to long-term hypodynamy, c) different activity of AP in the small intestine of Japanese quail may not have resulted only from hypodynamy but also due to decreased food intake

Effect of Hypodynamy on Structure and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Kidney in Japanese Quails

The objective of the study was to observe the effect of experimental hypodynamy simulating weightlessness in space on the structure, ultrastructure and alkaline phosphatase activity of kidney in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Two days after hatching, the quails were suspended in special shirts below the cage ceiling so their feet did not touch the floor. They could consume food and water ad libitum. Experimental animals were sacrificed after 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days of hypodynamy. Birds of the same age, hatched at the same time, and fed the same diet were used as a control. Samples of kidney were processed for light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) analysis. Short-term (14–28 days) hypodynamy caused no marked damage to the structure and ultrastructure of kidneys. However, after long-term (35–59 days) hypodynamy, morphological changes were observed in some cells of the proximal and distal tubules. The dying cells in proximal tubules, observed in semi-thin sections by LM, were dark and contained a nucleus of irregular shape. Observation by TEM showed that their nucleus was dark and shrivelled and the electron-dense cytoplasm contained long, dense, rod-shaped mitochondria with thin mitochondrial cristae. Microvilli were present on the apical surface of cells and formed a brush border. Sporadic dying cells were also observed in distal tubules. Large, light vacuoles were found in the cytoplasm of cells of collecting tubules, however, the structure of renal corpuscles and medullary loops remained undisturbed. Microscopical analysis by means of a direct TUNEL reaction on days 35 to 59 of hypodynamy showed a moderate occurrence of cellular apoptosis in the proximal and distal tubules of experimental Japanese quail. The activity of AP in the brush border of the proximal tubules on days 14–29 of hypodynamy was normal in experimental animals and showed no significant differences in comparison with the control. Between days 35 and 59 of hypodynamy a moderate decrease in the content of AP in experimental animals in comparison with the control (P < 0.01) was observed. Our results indicated that long-term hypodynamy caused apoptosis of some cells in the proximal and distal tubules and therefore had a negative effect on the kidney structure. The occurrence of apoptosis was only sporadic. We presume no negative effect on the kidney function and the Japanese quails are capable of further development under the conditions of prolonged simulated weightlessness