Lead exposure during intrauterine life was found to result in reduced birth weight, impaired skeletal development and post-natal neurotoxic effects. In this study, the effect of pre-natal exposure to different doses of lead on the development of craniofacial skeleton in rat fetuses was investigated. Vitamin E was tested as a concomitant treatment, aiming to improve the fetotoxic effects of lead. Positively pregnant female rats were randomly divided into four groups; groups I and II (L250 and L500), exposed to lead acetate in doses of 250 and 500 mg/l respectively, group III (L500 + E), exposed to lead acetate (500 mg/l) wit concomitant vitamin E and group IV (Control) which was given sodium acetate only. All the treatments started from the first day of gestation till the 20th day, where all rats were sacrificed and the fetuses were recovered. Fetuses were processed to alizarin red staining for ossified components. Twenty-seven bones of the craniofacial skeleton were studied in each fetus where the ossification was scored as being complete, delayed or absent. In all studied fetuses from all groups, changes were found only in eight bones while the remaining craniofacial bones were normally ossified. In affected bones there was a significant decrease in the number of completely ossified bones; associated with a significant increase of both partially ossified and absent bones in L(250) and L(500) treated groups when compared to the control group. These differences were more significant in the L(500) treated group. Giving vitamin E improved the percentage of completely ossified craniofacial bones and decreased the percentage of both partially ossified and absent bones. The most affected bone was presphenoid, then to a lesser extent supraoccipital, squamosal, parietal, interparietal and frontal bone respectively. In conclusion, lead exposure to rats during pregnancy led to varying degrees of fetal growth retardation as well as delayed ossification of some craniofacial bones which were dose dependent and the concomitant supplementation with vitamin E greatly improved the deleterious effect of lead.

The sphenoid bony landmarks are important for endoscopic orientation in skull base surgery but show a wide range of variations. We aimed to describe an instructional model for the endoscopic parasellar anatomy in sphenoid sinuses with ill-defined bony landmarks. Five preserved injected cadaveric heads and four sides of dry skulls were studied endoscopically via transethmoid, transsphenoidal approach. The parasellar region was exposed by drilling along the maxillary nerve (V2) canal [the length of the foramen rotundum (FR) between the middle cranial fossa and the pterygopalatine fossa]. This was achieved by drilling in the inferior part of the lateral wall of posterior ethmoids immediately above the sphenopalatine foramen. Cavernous V2 was traced to the paraclival internal carotid artery (ICA). Cavernous sinus (CS) apex was exposed by drilling a triangle bounded by V2 and its canal inferiorly, bone between FR and superior orbital fissure (SOF) anteriorly, and ophthalmic nerve (V1) superiorly. Drilling was continued toward the annulus of Zinn (AZ) and optic nerve superiorly and over the intracavernous ICA posteriorly. Endoscopic measurements between V2, SOF, AZ, and opticocarotid recess were obtained. Endoscopic systematic orientation of parasellar anatomy is presented that can be helpful for approaching sphenoid sinus with ill-defined bony landmarks.KEYWORDS: Cavernous sinus, parasellar, sphenoid, bony landmarks, endoscopic sinus surgeryThe cavernous sinus (CS) is recently considered as part of the extradural neural compartment. The CS extends from the paraclinoid area posteriorly to the orbit apex anteriorly. Medially, it is related to the sphenoid sinus and laterally to the middle cranial fossa (MCF) dura. 1 Transsphenoidal endonasal endoscopic pituitary surgery has long been a standard technique, reaching state-of-the-art level. Increasing interest is now focused toward the parasagittal skull base, particularly the parasellar region. Many studies have been published describing the endonasal anatomy of the CS. 2-4 These studies tried to provide an anatomic model based on evident bony landmarks in the sphenoid sinus. 2-4 These bony landmarks are age-related, depend upon the degree of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus, and show a wide range of incidence and variation. [5][6][7][8] Conchal and presellar 1

This study was useful in evaluating the hazardous effects of uncontrolled use of Pb in general and in assessing the developmental and neurotoxicity of foetuses due to exposure during pregnancy in particular. Co-administration of garlic has beneficial effects in amelioration of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and reversing the histopathological changes of the cerebellum of mother rats and foetuses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 1-15).

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental contaminant that is found in many ecosystems. Many studies reported that MeHg toxicity is accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation that may lead to oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins. Vitamin E is considered as the most effective antioxidant preventing lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MeHg exposure during pregnancy on the development of the appendicular skeleton in rat fetuses and whether vitamin E administration could reduce this toxicity. Positively mated adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into the following experimental groups: control group, received only deionized water, and four MeHg treated groups received 1 mg of MeHg/kg/d, 2 mg of MeHg/kg/d, 1 mg of MeHg/kg/d plus 150 mg of vitamin E/kg/d, and 2 mg of MeHg/kg/d, plus 150 mg of vitamin E/kg/d starting from Day 0 of gestation. On Day 20 of gestation, the fetuses from the pregnant rats were extracted and the fetal growth parameters were evaluated. Skeletal evaluation of ossification of both fore-and hind-limbs, and coxal bones were undertaken. Results showed that treatment with MeHg caused adverse effects on fetal growth parameters and ossification of the bones. The coadministration of vitamin E with MeHg revealed an improvement in these parameters. These results suggest that vitamin E may ameliorate some aspects of MeHg developmental toxicity. The underlying and human health implications warrant further investigations. Anat Rec, 295:939-949, 2012. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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This study was planned to explore the protective role of curcumin (Cur) against maternal and fetal oxidative stress and cerebral damage induced by lead (Pb) during pregnancy. Positively pregnant female rats were divided into seven groups: control group, Cur group (300 mg/kg of Cur/b.wt.), DMSO group (50% DMSO), two Pb-treated groups (exposed to 160 and 320 mg/kg b.wt./day of Pb acetate, respectively), and two groups treated with both Pb and Cur (exposed to Pb as previous groups together with 300 mg/kg b.wt./day of Cur). Treatments through oral gavage once a day started from gestation day 1 (GD1) till day 20 (GD20), where the mother rats of different experimental groups were sacrificed to obtain the fetuses. Different chemical parameters were assessed. Brain specimens of mother and fetal groups were processed with examination. The results displayed that Pb administration to pregnant rats resulted in a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and fetuses. Also, there was a significant rise in lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in the brains of the different Pb-treated groups. The histological examination of the brain of treated dams and fetuses showed marked alterations. Co-treatment of Cur along with Pb caused a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone, improving the oxidative condition with amelioration of the brain’s histopathological changes. Co-administration of Cur could have ameliorative effect against Pb-induced neurotoxicity through the reduction of oxidative stress and reversal of histopathological changes.

(Folia Morphol 2016; 75, 3: 341-354)