Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of red blood cells (RBCs) of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, inhabiting a polluted lake in Northeast India revealed a number of abnormalities. About 7% of the RBC showed the presence of a micronucleus, besides the presence of some bi-nucleated and abnormally shaped nuclei. RBCs, white blood cells, and hemoglobin content were found to be reduced significantly as compared to the control. SEM showed the presence of spherocytes, early stages of echinocytes, cytoplasmic blebbing, erythrocytes with contraction from one side, abnormal shape of erythrocytes (hexagonal/pentagonal/tetragonal), development of lobopodial projections, cell rupture, membrane internalization, and formation of ring-shaped RBC. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed the presence of a considerable percentage of silicon and lead in erythrocytes of the fish collected from the polluted lake, in contrast to a negligible concentration of the two elements in control fish. Significance of the study in relation to fish health in a polluted body of water and the importance of SEM, EDS, and light microscopy in utilizing hematological parameters as pollution indicators are discussed.
Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a most widely used chemical in almost all hair dye formulations. The present experiment was conducted in order to assess the reproductive toxicity of PPD in male rats. After sub-chronic topical application of different doses (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg/kg/day) of PPD, the male albino rats exhibited significant decrease in the total sperm count (p<0.05, 0.01) with consistent decrease in the testicular weight (p<0.05), increase in the germ cell apoptosis indicated by cellular morphology as well as loss of germinal layer, sloughing of testicular cellular layers. Elevation of lipid peroxidation product in the testicular tissue indicated the potential oxidative stress that may be crucial in the induction of the apoptosis and further tissue injury in the PPD-treated rats. The study was designed to examine the testicular effect of 1% to 3% PPD which mimic the actual dosage available in most of the hair dying formulation. The possibilities of impaired testicular function after sub-chronic topical exposure to PPD on male rats have demonstrated.
The study uses microscopy to analyze damage caused to the ovaries of a fresh water fish, Cyprinus carpio L., owing to its exposure to municipal wastes in a polluted reservoir, Umiam in Meghalaya, India. Histological analysis of the ovary showed atretic oocytes, detached ovarian wall, detached follicular linings, and necrosis of nuclei. Scanning electron microscopy revealed deformed oocytes with a rough and distorted surface. Transmission electron microscopy showed a poorly developed chorion, presence of relatively less electron-dense materials as compared with control, multinucleation in some cells surrounding the oocytes, and distorted and condensed mitochondria. The importance of microscopy in its different forms in analyzing histological, surface microstructural and fine structural damage to fish ovaries in response to environmental pollution owing to municipal wastes and city garbage is discussed with the help of available literature.
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