ijvp

Indian Journal of Veterinary Pathology

0250-47580973-970X

Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists

ijvp-37-1-036

ABSTRACTS OF DISSERTATIONS OR ARTICLES

Toxicopathological studies on mercuric chloride in Wistar rats.

Gupta

Shailesh Kumar

¹Ghosh

R.C.

Dr.¹

¹Degree/Year: M.V.Sc./2012 Name of the University: Indira Gandhi Agricultural Uni., Raipur

162013

371111111

2013

IndianJournals.com

The present investigation was undertaken to study the pathology of acute and subacute mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) toxicity in Wistar rats. In acute toxicity study, the approximate lethal dose of HgCl₂ was determined as 27 mg/kg body weight. The present study of acute toxicity clinically revealed piloerection, scanty dropping, profuse salivation, depression, prostration, hyperaesthesia, respiratory distress, exophthalmos, motor incoordination, loss of all reflexes and death. At necropsy, there were severe haemorrhages in lungs accompanied with congestion in most of the visceral organs. Histopathologically, HgCl₂ intoxicated rats revealed severe haemorrhages and hydropic degeneration in liver, severe congestion and haemorrhages in lung, congestion and degenerative changes in brain, degenerative and necrotic changes of tubular epithelium along with albuminous cast in kidney tubules, severe depletion of lymphocytes in the Malpighian corpuscles of the spleen and severe degenerative and necrotic changes of cardiac muscles along with congestion. A total number of forty eight rats were divided at random into four equal groups of 12 each (6 males + 6 females). All the rats of groups II, III and IV were administered HgCl₂ orally mg/kg body weight respectively for 28 days. Group I served as normal control. During subacute toxicity mean body weight were significantly (P≤0.01) reduced in the intoxicated rats in dose dependant manner. HgCl₂ caused significant decrease in the weight of liver, spleen, testes and brain and significant increase in the weight of kidneys of rats of group IV. Haematological examination revealed that the Hb, PCV, TEC, MCV and TLC were significantly (P≤0.01) decreased in rats of group IV. DLC showed significant lymphopaenia, neutrophilia, monocytosis and eosinophilia in intoxicated rats. Biochemically, the values of AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, uric acid and creatinine were significantly (P≤0.01) increased with the increase in dose of HgCl₂ and the values of plasma total protein and albumin were significantly (P≤0.01) decreased in rats of group IV. Significant depression of CMI in HgCl₂ treated rats as measured by DNFB skin contact sensitization test was observed. Intoxicated rats had significant decrease in the epididymal sperm count and motility and significant (P≤0.01) increase in dead count with head and tail abnormalities in a dose-dependent manner. Gross examination revealed petechial haemorrhages in liver, congestion and haemorrhage in lungs, slight atrophy of spleen and mild congestion in brain. Microscopically, congestion, haemorrhages and degenerative to necrotic changes were found in liver, heart, kidneys and brain along with lymphocytolysis in spleen of intoxicated rats. All the HgCl₂treated rats had haemorrhages and serous fluid accumulation in lungs and necrosis and defoliation of spermatogonial cells in the seminiferous tubules of testes. Thus, the present study concludes that HgCl₂ acts as a potent hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and neurotoxic agent. It also hampers the function of immune system leading to increased susceptibility to other infections. Further, HgCl₂ affects the germ cells of the male rats and thus it may be considered as an important toxic compound which may influence the fertility in animals.