Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2012
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 1

Comparison in the toxicities of cuprous (Cu+) and cupric ion (Cu2+) salts on the various organs of ratus norvegicus and its comparison with the lead

  • Author:
  • Vaneet Dhir
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 135 to 138

Sikh National College (NAAC, B+), Qadian-143516, Punjab-India.

Online published on 28 February, 2012.

Abstract

We know that heavy metal toxicity is a serious problem which adversely affects the growth, health, reproductive performance and life span of all living organisms. In our previous work1, we have studied the effects of Lead on the reproductive parameters of female rate (Ratus Norvegicus) and the effect of hydrophobic character of big biomolecules2–3 (eccrine) and its interactions with the various alkali and alkaline earth metals on the stability pattern of Lyotropic series4 (Hofmeister series). Copper being a toxic cumulative poison, experiments were conducted at an oral chronic dose of (30 mg/kg/day) for 60 days on adult female rats (Rattus Norvegicus) and its effect on the reproductive functions in relation to the biochemical effects on various organs was studied. Copper exist in two forms of cuprous (Cu+, Cuprous Chloride) and cupric (Cu2+, Copper Sulphate), while the higher oxidation species, Cupric (Cu2+) is found to be more toxic as compared to lower oxidation state, Cuprous salts (Cu+). It was observed that the chronic dose of copper caused an elevation in the level of proteins, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in all the soft tissues studied indicating tissue damage as similar with the toxicity of lead (Table 1). It also inhibited the level of acetylcholinesterase in all the tissues. However, the trend appears as follows:

Cupric ions (Cu2+) > Lead (Pb2+) > Cuprous ion (Cu+)

Fertility tests by pairing treated females with males showed that lead treated female showed irregular oestrous cycle and the fertility rate dropped to 47% as female pups of mothers showed loss in weight, high mortality rate, poor growth rate and late vaginal opening.

The higher charge copper (Cu2+) is more toxic as compared to lower oxidation state (Cu+). This fact is based on the Hofmeister series4 (higher charge cation interact more strongly with the biomolecules as compared to smaller one). The present study revealed that copper caused great tissue damage and affected reproductive performance of female rats at a chronic dose.