الفهرس 
Introduction
FunctionsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 181 |  |  |
| | | from | 181 | | |
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that causes various adverse effects on health. It is used in batteries, some thermometers, electrical switches, fluorescent lamps, paints, fungicides, insecticides and in mercuric vapours lamps. Mercury and its compounds have been also used in topical antiseptics, stimulant laxatives, skin lightening products, diaper rash ointment, eye and nasal sprays. Furthermore, elemental mercury is an ingredient in dental amalgams.
The natural events (e.g. volcanic activity and weathering of rocks) and human activities (e.g. mining and fuel use) can release mercury into the environment. The liver is a major site for mercuric metabolism. It accumulates within the hepatic tissue and leads to hepatic dysfunction.
People may be exposed to mercury in some of its forms under different circumstances often through chronic or acute exposure. However, the main exposure occurs through the consumption of contaminated fish.
Aim of the Work:
The main aim of this work was to detect the effects of HgCl2 exposure during pregnancy on the postnatal development of the liver in albino rat.
Material and Methods:
A total number of 16 adult females and 4 adult males were used in this study. The females were being pregnant after overnight mating with adult male albino rats. The pregnant rats of the experimental compartment received HgCl2 in an oral daily dose of 2 mg/kg body weight through a gastric tube during the periods of gestation and lactation. After weaning (21- day aged rats), the offspring of the treated group was given HgCl2 in an oral daily dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. The control compartment was given normal saline via the same route, dose and for the same periods. The offspring of the control and treated rats were killed by cervical dislocation at the following ages: 1 day (group I), 21 days (group II) and 2 months (group III); each group consisted of 6 rats.
Liver specimens were extracted and subjected to:
• Hematoxyline and Eosin staining (Hx & E): to study the nuclei and cytoplasm of hepatocytes.
• Periodic Acid Schiff staining (PAS): to study the amount of glycogen in the liver.
• Semi-thin sectioning, staining with toludine blue and examination by the light microscopy.
• Ultra-thin sectioning, staining with uranyl acetate and lead citrate then examination by transmission electron microscope.
The body weight as well as the liver weight were measured. Also a morphometric study of the nuclear diameter were done. A statistical analysis of the results were stablished.
Results:
Light microscopic examination showed structural disorganization of the hepatocytes which was less in the treated rats of group I. Added to that, wide congested hepatic sinusoids were observed as well as congestion of the central and the portal veins. Swelling of the hepatocytes and proliferation of the bile ductules were obvious in treated rats of group III.
Electron microscopic examination showed decrease in the mitochondrial count and vacuolization of the cytoplasm as well as the prescence of lipid droplets. There was increase in the number and dimensions of the lysosomes. Perisinusoidal fibrosis was detected as well as nuclear destruction and fragmentation. Disturbance of thickness of the cell membrane was a finding of treated rats of group III.
HgCl2 caused a significant decease in the body weight of groups II and III as a direct result of the general increased metabolic rate produced by the metal. A significant increase in the liver weight of the 3 groups was detected due to the lipid deposition. The morphometric study revealed a significant decrease in the nuclear diameter of the treated hepatocytes of the groups II and III. Conclusion: Mercury intoxication has harmful effects on the histological development of the liver of the different age groups.