Lead induced spermatoxicity in mouse and MPG treatment

Protective efficacy of MPG (2-mercaptopropionyl glycine) was studied against the toxic effects of lead acetate in Swiss albino mice. The animals were treated with single dose of lead acetate @ 180, 200 and 250 mg/kg b.wt. in presence and absence of MPG. The results indicated that the body weight was slightly higher in MPG treated groups on day 10 as compared to only respective lead treated groups in all the three dose level. However, significantly lower body weight was observed in both lead treated and lead along with MPG treated groups as compared to control. Patten of mortality is similar in both lead treated and lead plus MPG treated groups. Conspicuous degenerative changes in testicular tissues and elevation in sperm head shape abnormality were observed in both lead treated and lead along with MPG treated groups but the sperm head shape abnormality and damage were more in lead treated groups as compared to lead plus MPG treated groups. But this difference was non-significant between the two groups. These observations suggest that MPG may not be significantly effective against lead induced damage in testicular tissues at cellular level. However, MPG is able to maintain slightly lower level of sperm abnormality in all the three dose level as compared to their respective lead treated groups. Further, studies are needed to find out the optimum dose of MPG for protection against the lower doses of lead induced lethality as MPG is not significantly effective against the higher doses of lead.     

涕灭威及其有毒代谢产物对DNA潜在损伤研究

采用生物遗传监测系统,研究了涕灭威及其两个有毒代谢产物(涕灭威亚砜,涕灭威砜)对蚕豆及大蒜根尖细胞微核率的影响,以及对小牛胸腺DNA的加合作用．结果表明,两种植物根尖细胞微核试验测得的高浓度剂量诱导的微核率与对照组相比有显著性差异(p<0．05),说明涕灭威、涕灭威亚砜及涕灭威砜可能对蚕豆及大蒜根尖细胞有致突变性．并且配对资料差异的显著性检验表明,蚕豆根尖微核试验的敏感性明显高于大蒜根尖微核试验的敏感性．涕灭威及其两个有毒代谢产物与小牛胸腺DNA结合引起吸收光谱波峰的移位,而且存在着剂量关系,说明涕灭威、涕灭威亚砜及涕灭威砜可能对小牛胸腺DNA造成加合作用．     

Immunoprotective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced toxicity in rats

Immunotoxicological effects of cypermethrin and their reversal by curcumin following oral administration were evaluated in rats. Mature male Wistar rats were orally administered cypermethrin (25?mg?kg^?1 body wt), curcumin (100?mg?kg^?1 body wt) or both daily for 4 weeks. At the end of fourth week, hematological, serum biochemical, and immunological parameters were studied. Subchronic exposure to cypermethrin significantly reduced body weight, total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, and cell-mediated immunity. Concomitant curcumin administration restored the changes in the body weight, hematological parameters, and serum biochemical indices and significantly increased the antibody titer, and cell mediated immunity. These results suggest that concurrent curcumin treatment has a beneficial role in mitigating immunotoxicological and other adverse effects of cypermethrin.     

In vivo studies on the effect of Ocimum sanctum L. leaf extract in modifying the genotoxicity induced by chromium and mercury in Allium root meristems

In vivo cytogenetic assay in Allium cepa root tip cells has been carried out to detect the modifying effect of Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract against chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) induced genotoxicity. It was observed that the roots post-treated with the leaf extract showed highly significant (p < 0.001) recovery in mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) when compared to pre-treated (Cr/Hg) samples and the lower doses of the leaf extract were found to be more effective than higher doses. The present study reveals that the Ocimum sanctum leaf extract possesses the protective effect against Cr/Hg induced genetic damage.     

DNA damage in mouse organs and in human sperm cells by bisphenol A

Abstract

The in vivo genotoxic potential of bisphenol A using the comet assay in mice and in human sperm cells in vitro without metabolizing enzymes was studied. Male mice were exposed by oral gavage to the following doses of bisphenol A (0 125, 250 and 500?mg/kg body weight). DNA damage was investigated in liver, kidney, testes, urinary bladder, colon and lungs cells. In testicular cells, a significant increase in DNA strand breaks was observed in the lowest, but not in the medium or highest dose groups. Histopathological investigation of the testicular samples did not show any treatment dose-related effects. No DNA strand breaks were observed in any of the other investigated tissues. In human sperm cells in vitro, bisphenol A did not induce DNA strand breaks.     

The investigation of cytotoxic effects of refinery wastewater on root tip cells of Vicia faba L

The present study was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of refinery wastewater collected from different stations of the Kizilirmak river on Vicia faba L. root tip cells. For this aim, we used the germination percentage, root length, weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity. Additionally to the cytological analysis, DNA analyses were performed in root tips meristems of Vicia faba seeds treated with refinery wastewater. Heavy metal concentrations in the water samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of heavy metals in the water were in the order of Pb>Zn>Fe>Cu>Ni>Cd>Hg. The highest germination percantage was observed in the control group (in proportion as 96%). Heavy metals in the water samples collected from Station I, II and III caused a decrease in the germination percentage as 48, 18 and 30%, respectively. The highest root length and weight gain was observed in the control group at the end of the experimental period. The least root length and weight gain was observed in seeds treated with wastewater collected from Station I. In the control group, the weights of all the seeds increased about 4.08 g when compared with initial weight. The root lengths of the control seeds were determined as 6.38 cm at the end of the experimental period. The weights of the seeds exposed to wastewaters obtained from Station I, II and III increased about 1.08, 3.03 and 2.01 g according to initial weight, respectively. Microscopic examination of V. faba root tip meristem cells showed that any example of the MN formation was not seen in the control group. The highest frequency of MN was observed in group treated with wastewater collected from Station I and least frequency of MN was observed in group treated with wastewater collected from Station II. It was also observed that the yields of DNA in the seeds exposed to wastewater were lower than recorded in the controls. Hence, DNA yields exposed to wastewater were run ahead on agarose gel according to the control group. The results clearly indicate that refinery wastewater had important cytotoxic effects on V. faba root tip cells. It was also observed that V. faba seeds are very sensitive and useful biomarkers for monitoring these effects in waters contaminated with heavy metals.     

Evaluation of reproductive and developmental toxicity of cypermethrin in male albino rats

The ever-increasing use of pesticides in the agricultural and public health has become a major cause of sterility in human and various other animals particularly in males. This study was sought to screen the toxic impacts of cypermethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) on reproduction and development. Twenty-four Wistar male rats divided into four groups were orally administered cypermethrin of daily doses 50, 75, or 100 mg?kg^?1 bwt per day for 45 days; and for developmental toxicity, 12 female rats were separated into two groups. Maternal rats (experimental) were administered cypermethrin (100?mg?kg^?1) by gavage daily from 6th to 17th day of gestation, and the control group was dosed only vehicle (olive oil). The body weights, fertility index, biochemical, enzymatic, hormonal, and histopathological parameters were the criteria used to evaluate the toxicity of cypermethrin. Study showed significant decline in the weight of testes, epididymises, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate, and reduction in sperm counts both in epididymises and testes in chemical-treated animals. Pre- and post- fertility test showed 50%, 80%, and 100% negative results after treatment. A significant degenerative reduction in testicular glycogen and sialic acid was also noted. In contrast, protein and cholesterol levels of testes were significantly increased. In addition, acid phosphatase activity was significantly increased, while alkaline phosphatase, testosterone, leutinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were diminished. Histology of testes showed degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin exposure during gestation produced adverse effects markedly in females and fetuses.     

Sulphur management in onion (Allium cepa) cultivation in hills of Himachal Pradesh

Field experiment were conducted at CSK HPKV Research Farm, Palampur during Rabi seasons of 2000-01 and 2001-02, to study the response of onion (Allium cepa var Patna red) at four sulphur levels (0, 15, 30 and 60 kg ha(-1)) applied through Gypsum and S95. The analysis was done to allocate the limited availability of sulphur for maximizing net profit over fertilizer cost. The results show that the dose of sulphur under its full availability is 43.02 kg ha(-1). But under its scarce availability the maximum benefit would occur when it is applied up to 32.11 kg ha(-1) followed by even distribution of fertilizer i.e. 20 kg ha(-1). The returns following sulphur application at these rates, would be Rs 69340, 73092 and 68700 ha(-1) respectively.     

Protective role of Ginkgo biloba on petroleum wastewater-induced toxicity in Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) root tip cells

The Melet is one of Turkey's economically important rivers. Most of the petroleum plants are located at fairly nearby of the river This situation is considered as main source of heavy metal pollution in the river. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) on cytotoxicity induced by petroleum wastewater in Vicia faba root tip cells. For this aim, we used the germination percentage, root length, weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity. Additionally to the cytological analysis, lipid peroxidation analyses were also performed in V. faba roots. Heavy metal concentrations in wastewater were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The V. faba seeds were divided into six groups. They were treated with petroleum wastewater and 10, 20 and 30 microM doses of GB. As a result, the mean concentrations of heavy metals in wastewater were observed in the order: Pb > A > Ni > Cr > Fe > Cu > Zn > Cd. The highest germination percentage was observed in the seeds of the control and positive control groups (in proportion as 98 and 96%, respectively). Wastewater treatment caused a significant decrease in the germination percentage of Group III (in proportion as 44%). The highest root length and weight gain were observed in the seeds of the control and positive control groups at the end of the experimental period. The least root length and weight gain were observed in the seeds of Group III treated with wastewater alone. In the control group, the final weights of all the seeds increased about 4.08 g according to initial weight. The root lengths of the control seeds were measured as 6.80 cm at the end of the experimental period. The final weights of the seeds exposed to wastewater alone increased about 0.90 g according to initial weight. Besides, there was a significantly increase in the MDA levels of the roots exposed to wastewater. Heavy metals in wastewater significantly affected the MDA production indicating lipid peroxidation. But, GB-treatment caused amelioration in indices of the germination percentage, root length, weight gain, MN frequency and lipid peroxidation when compared with group III. Each dose of GB provided protection against wastewater toxicity and its strongest protective effect observed at dose of 30 microM. In vivo results showed that GB is a potential protector against toxicity induced by petroleum wastewater and its protective role is dose-dependent.     

Studies of VA-Mycorrhizal fungi associated with some weed plants in sugar mill effluent soils

This study is to isolate the effluent strain of VAM fungi from polluted soils of sugar mill effluents. Analysis showed that pH and EC was more but the organic matter is less when compared to non-polluted soils. Even though there was low P content that enhances the mycorrhizal infection, the percent of root colonization was less than 75% in polluted study site. The number of VAM propagules and its distribution were also greatly affected due to various factors. Nine different VAM species were isolated and identified from the polluted study site. Using Allium cepa L. as the host plant the efficiency of the native effluent tolerant strains of VAM fungi isolated from the polluted study site was determined. Highest growth rate, high dry weight of gram per plant and increased growth was observed in the order of Glomus intraradices followed by Gigaspora margarita and Glomus fasciculatum. Consequence of the study clearly showed that Glomus intraradices was the efficient strain in sugar mill effluent polluted areas.     

Effect of malathion on reproductive system of male rats

The pesticides are one of the most potentially harmful chemicals liberated in the environment in an unplanned manner Malathion is widely used as a potent pesticide in many countries and has been shown to produce some adverse health effects. A study was conducted to asses the effects of malathion on the male reproductive system of wistar rats. The pesticide was administered to rats orally at dose levels of 50, 150 and 250 mg/kg/body wt/day for 60 days. In comparison to the control rats, there was a significant reduction in the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate. Testicular and epididymal sperm density were decreased in the animals treated with malathion. Pre and post fertility test showed 80% negative results after treatment Biochemical profile of the testis revealed a significant decline in the contents of sialic acid and glycogen. Whereas a significant increase in the protein content of testis and testicular cholesterol was observed. The activity of testicular enzyme acid phosphatase increased significantly while decreased alkaline phosphatase activity was found. Malathion also suppressed the level of testosterone significantly Results of the present study clearly suggest that malathion induce toxic effects on the male reproductive system of rats.     

Protective effect of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on phenol-induced cytotoxicity in albino mice

The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on cytotoxicity induced by phenol (PHE) in mice. We used weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity and supported these parameters with pathological findings. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups: (Group I) only tap water (Group II) 1000 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, (Group III) 35 mg kg(-1) body wt. PHE (Group IV) 35 mg kg(-1) body wt. PHE + 250 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea (Group V) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 500 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea (Group VI) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 750 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, (Group VII) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 1000 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, for 20 consecutive days by oral gavage. The results indicated that all KM-tea supplemented mice showed a lower MN frequency than erythrocytes in only PHE-treated group. There was an observable regression on account of lesions in tissues of mice supplemented with different doses of KM-tea in histopathological observations. In conclusion, the KM-tea supplementation decreases cytotoxicity induced by PHE and its protective role is dose-dependent.     

利用不同植物进行DNA损伤彗星实验的方法比较

为了研究彗星实验在植物DNA损伤检测中的应用,以多种植物材料为对象,进行了植物彗星实验的比较研究.分别分离了蚕豆、菠菜、洋葱、菜豆、大蒜、水稻等植物组织的细胞核,并以彗星实验方法研究了H2O2引起的植物细胞核DNA损伤.电泳后发现H2O2处理组植物细胞核出现明显拖尾,而对照组没有出现拖尾或拖尾较小.研究结果表明彗星实验是一种可以在单细胞水平上研究植物DNA损伤程度的手段,具有灵敏、简单、快速的优点.采用合适的细胞核分离方法,能够将彗星实验应用于多种植物,研究其DNA损伤.蚕豆、菠菜、洋葱、菜豆、大蒜等植物的根尖和叶片都可以应用于植物彗星实验,但在本实验条件下利用水稻组织进行彗星试实验并没有获得明显的彗星图像,能否进行彗星实验可能受植物本身性质或实验条件等多种因素的影响.     

Evaluation of impact of sewage irrigation on cytotoxicological potentialities of Chenopodium album in Allium assay

Chenopodium album is a weed commonly consumed by North Indian population as vegetable. Plants are known to accumulate toxins from their environment. Presently, the leaf homogenates of these plants growing in a tubewell irrigated field and a sewage irrigated field were evaluated for cytotoxicological effects in Allium root tip assay. Studies revealed that Chenopodium album was mildly mitodepressive in nature and was capable of inducing chromosomal aberrations. The leaf homogenate of the plants growing in sewage irrigated fields induced more quantum of aberrations than the plants from the control site. This has a direct bearing on consumability of sewage grown vegetables and fodder.     

Detection of lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity induced by aluminium (Al) and cobalt (Co) ions in barbunia root tip cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of Aluminium (Al) and Cobalt (Co) heavy metal ions on Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Barbunia (Fabaceae) root tips. We used the germination percentage (GP), root length (RL), weight gain (WG) and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity and correlated these data with statistical parameters. Additionally to the cytogenetic analysis, lipid peroxidation and DNA analyses were performed in root tips of barbunia seeds treated with Al and Co metals. The seeds were divided into five groups as control, Al and Co treatment groups. They were treated with 25 and 50 ppm doses of Al and Co during 7 days. The results indicated that there was an alteration in the GP, RL, WG and MN frequency depending on the treatment dose in the seeds exposed to Al and Co metal ions when compared with the controls. Al and Co metal ions at both the doses significantly reduced the GP, RL and WG in seeds of all the treatment groups. The highest GP was observed in seeds of the control group (in proportion as 96%). 25 and 50 ppm doses of Co and Al caused 30, 50 and 42, 64% decrease of seed germination, respectively. In the control group, the final weights of all the seeds increased about 1.31 g when compared to initial weight. The mean RL of control seeds were measured as 3.71 cm at the end of experimental period. In Co andAl groups, the final weights of seeds increased about 0.34 g and 0.19 g according to initial weight at 50 ppm dose, respectively But, Al and Co ions caused a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of MN. The highest frequency of MN was observed at 50 ppm dose of Al and least frequency of MN was observed at 25 ppm dose of Co. Besides, 25 and 50 ppm concentrations of Al and Co significantly enhanced the lipid peroxidation and caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at both the doses. In roots treated with 25 and 50 ppm doses of Al, the increase of MDA was about 62 and 136% according to control, respectively In Co-treated roots, the increase of MDA was about 31 and 91% according to the control at 25 and 50 ppm doses, respectively The investigated parameters (except MN and MDA) were higher in the seeds exposed to Co than the seeds treated with Al. Moreover, it was observed that the yields of DNA in the seeds treated with Al andCo metals were lower than recorded in the controls. Hence, DNA yields exposed to Al and Co were run ahead on agarose gel according to the control group. The results of the present study indicate that Al and Co metal ions have toxic effects on barbunia root tip cells, and the selected parameters such as the GP, RL, WG, MN and MDA are very sensitive and useful biomarkers for biomonitoring these effects.     

Rapid sperm evolution in the bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) subspecies complex

Spermatozoa are among the most variable animal cell types, and much research is currently directed towards explaining inter- and intraspecific variation in sperm form and function. Recent comparative studies in passerine birds have found associations between the level of sperm competition and both sperm length and sperm velocity. In species with sperm competition, postcopulatory sexual selection may shape the morphology of sperm as adaptations to the female environment. The speed of evolutionary change in sperm morphology at the species level is largely unknown. In this study, we analysed variation in sperm morphology among morphologically distinct and geographically isolated bluethroat subspecies in Europe. Consistent with previous studies, our analyses of mtDNA and nuclear introns suggest recent divergence and lack of lineage sorting among the subspecies. We found significant divergence in total sperm length and in the length of some sperm components (i.e. head and midpiece). There was a significantly positive relationship between pairwise divergences in sperm morphology and mitochondrial DNA, suggesting a role for genetic drift in sperm divergence. The magnitude of sperm length divergence was considerably higher than that in other geographically structured passerines, and even higher than that observed between several pairs of sister species. We hypothesize that the rapid sperm evolution in bluethroats is driven by sperm competition, and that strong postcopulatory sexual selection on sperm traits can lead to rapid speciation through reproductive incompatibilities.     

三叶鬼针草对蚕豆根尖遗传毒性的研究

化感作用是外来植物成功入侵和快速扩散的机制之一,为了探讨入侵植物三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa L.)的化感作用机制,运用蚕豆根尖微核技术和植物切片技术,研究了不同质量浓度的三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)根尖细胞的遗传损伤和对根生长的影响。结果表明,三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂及生长产生不同程度的抑制和损伤,具有明显的遗传毒性。水浸提液对蚕豆根尖的影响存在显著的时间效应和质量浓度效应。经切片测量统计,水浸提液促进了成熟区细胞平周分裂,使根尖细胞层数增加;同时显著地抑制了细胞伸长,使根尖缩短,整体表现为使根尖加粗变短。三叶鬼针草水浸提液抑制了细胞有丝分裂的正常进行,并随着水浸提液质量分数的升高,分裂期细胞数目下降,微核率逐渐升高。本研究结果表明三叶鬼针草水溶性化感物质对植物的遗传稳定性及细胞形态结构具有一定的影响,三叶鬼针草的化感作用可能是其成功入侵的机制之一。     

Protective efficacy of Mucuna pruriens extract on Epichlorohydrin induced toxicity in epididymis of albino rats

The protective effects of seeds of Mucuna pruriens on epichlorohydrin (ECH)-induced toxicity in epididymis and epididymal sperms of rats were studied. Different doses of ECH and M. pruriens (75 and 100 mg kg^?1, respectively) were administered daily, orally for 70 days. Group I animals served as control. Group II and III rats received ECH (75 or 100 mg kg^?1 body weight, respectively) alone. The group IV and V rats received a combination of both ECH and the seed extract of M. pruriens at 75 or 100 mg kg^?1 body weight. Group VI rats was administered only the extract of M. pruriens 100 mg kg^?1 body weight. At the end of the experiment (71st day), rats were sacrificed and sperm collected from epididymis were used for the assessment of sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm motility. Administration of ECH produced a reduction in epididymal sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm motility. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, while lipid peroxidation was increased. ECH produced a decrease in the levels of protein, acid phosphatase, sialic acids, and increased the level of alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol. The administration of M. pruriens to ECH-treated rats resulted in a protective effect.     

减量施氮对苦荞产量形成及氮代谢酶活性的影响

为明确减量施氮对苦荞强弱势粒及产量形成的影响,以苦荞品种晋荞2号为试验材料,研究在225 kg/hm²(N1)、135 kg/hm²(N2)、45 kg/hm²(N3)、0 kg/hm²(N4,对照)4个氮肥处理下苦荞强弱势粒的灌浆动态、根系形态生理、叶片中叶绿素含量及氮代谢相关酶活性、农艺性状和产量的差异.结果显示:减氮处理下,N2处理时晋荞2号籽粒的灌浆起始势(R0)、最大灌浆速率(Gmax)和平均灌浆速率(Gmean)最大,达最大灌浆速率的时间(Tmax.G)最小;强弱势粒间以强势粒的A值(生长终值量)、R0、Gmax和Gmean大于弱势粒,而N值(形状参数)和Tmax.G则低于弱势粒. 4个氮肥处理和强弱势粒均以灌浆中期对粒重的贡献率最大,灌浆后期次之,灌浆前期最小.随着施氮量的减少,晋荞2号的根系长度等形态指标及根系活力呈先增加后降低的趋势,以N2处理最大;随着施氮量的减少,晋荞2号叶片中的叶绿素含量及谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)、谷氨酰胺合酶(GOGAT)、硝酸还原酶(NR)活性呈先增加后降低的趋势,N2处理最大,强弱势粒间以强势粒的叶绿素含量较高、氮代谢酶活性较大. N2处理时的株高等农艺性状及产量形成指标均大于其余3个氮肥处理.本研究表明适当减量施氮可延缓苦荞衰老、促进苦荞强弱势粒的灌浆和氮代谢酶活性的增加,提高粒重和最终产量,进而实现节肥和高产.(表7参31)     

4种农药对土壤微生物的影响Ⅱ:氮素矿质化的变化

研究农药,氯氰菊酯、高效氯氰菊酯、多菌灵和丁硫克百威对山西省两种土壤氮素矿质化（ 氨化作用和硝化作用） 的影响．结果表明,添加低浓度（ ｗ ＝ １００ ｍｇ／ｋｇ） 的４ 种农药,对土壤氮素矿质化无显著影响． 高浓度（ ｗ ＝ １０００ ｍｇ／ｋｇ） 的菊酯类农药会抑制土壤中硝化细菌的活动,使土壤中氨的含量明显积累;添加高浓度多菌灵的土壤样品出现硝态氮积累的现象,这可能与其对微生物生长影响有关;添加高浓度丁硫克百威在一种土壤样品中使氨的含量有明显积累,但在另一种土壤样品中与对照基本相同．可见,农药对土壤氮素矿质化及微生物活性的影响,因农药品种的不同和浓度的不同而异,不同的土壤因微生物活性的差异而对农药污染的反应也不同