Mohammed H Badawoud1, Sherif M Hassan. 1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. mbadawoud@hotmail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological changes in the peripheral motor system of the rat induced by exposure to lead. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2011 to January 2012. Female adult albino rats (n=10) were given lead acetate in their drinking water (500mg/L) for a period of 30 days. Female adult albino rats (n=5) were used as control. The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected and processed for electron microscopy. RESULTS: Lead administration induced morphological changes in all constituents of the peripheral motor system of the rat, including; extension of long processes by Schwann cells, engorgement of nerve terminals, withdrawal of some terminals, and muscle fiber alterations. CONCLUSION: Lead toxicity is detrimental to all constituents of the peripheral motor system of the rat. The histopathological changes explain some of the clinical manifestations of lead toxicity.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological changes in the peripheral motor system of the rat induced by exposure to lead. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2011 to January 2012. Female adult albino rats (n=10) were given lead acetate in their drinking water (500mg/L) for a period of 30 days. Female adult albino rats (n=5) were used as control. The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected and processed for electron microscopy. RESULTS: Lead administration induced morphological changes in all constituents of the peripheral motor system of the rat, including; extension of long processes by Schwann cells, engorgement of nerve terminals, withdrawal of some terminals, and muscle fiber alterations. CONCLUSION: Lead toxicity is detrimental to all constituents of the peripheral motor system of the rat. The histopathological changes explain some of the clinical manifestations of lead toxicity.