Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, (Uttaranchal), India.
Avian Lymphocytes isolated from the spleen of apparently healthy birds were treated with NOEL (No Observable Effect Level)/102, NOEL/103, NOEL/104, NOEL/105, NOEL/106 and NOEL/107 concentrations of lead acetate for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. For the investigation of apoptosis, transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), agarose gel electrophoresis for Annexin-V biotin and avidin peroxidase staining for detection of phosphatidylserine and lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) for cell proliferation assay were performed. TEM and SEM revealed shrunken cells with pyknotic chromatin which was translocated on nuclear membrane, karyorhexis, budding and phagocytized apoptotic bodies. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed DNA fragmentation in the form of a ladder in gel. Annexin-V tagged apoptotic lymphoid cells displayed brown colour on their surface as an indication of the presence of phosphatidylserine on outer surface of cells. There was significant reduction in delta OD of the lymphocytic cultures stimulated by ConA and LPS mitogens due to zinc phosphide treatment.
Lead, apoptosis, lymphocyte stimulation test, T- and B- cell blastogenesis, avian lymphocytes
