European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY STUDY OF OVARIAN FOLLICLES IN RATS EXPOSED TO FLUORIDE

Shashi A.* and Pragati Kaushal

ABSTRACT

Background: Fluorine, very active chemically, reacts with most metal elements to generate different fluorides widely found in nature.[1] Fluoride plays a key role in prevention and control of dental caries. However, fluoride has a tendency to accumulate in organisms if the exposure persists over time, even at low concentration.[2] Curcumin is an active component in turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa Linn.) and is a poly phenolic curcuminoid that accounts for 3-5% of turmeric[11] and is reported to have broad medicinal value and used in the treatment of various ailments. Objectives: The objective of this study was to elucidate the potential effects of curcumin on fluoride induced ultra pathological changes in ovary of female rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino female rats weighing150-200g were randomly divided into six rats in each group. The rats in experimental groups treated with 300 and 600mg NaF / kg b.w. / day by oral gavage for 40 days. The control animals were administered 1 ml deionized water/kg bw/day for the same duration. Rats treated with NaF for 40 days were post-treated with 200 mg /kg bw /day of Curcumin alone respectively. All the animals were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia. The ovary tissues were dissected out, washed in normal saline, and processed for transmission electron microscopic examination. Results: The transmission electron microscopic features of fluoride ovarian toxicity with 300 mg NaF/kg bw /day, the ovariansurface epithelium showed destructed microvilli on the surface of oocytes. The nucleus had distorted, irregular structure and cytoplasmic lamellae in oocyte became much more abuntant. In atretic follicle, mitochondria showed vacuolation, dilated endoplamic reticulum, and shredded ribosomes. The animals treated with 600 mg fluoride /kg bw/day showed degeneration of zonapellucida and enlargement of perivitelline spaces. Apoptotic granulosa cells spilling in the antrum alongwith accumulation of variable sized electron dense deposits were present. The cytoplasmic lamellae exhibited vauolation. The irregular shaped nuclei showed convolution of nuclear membrane. The animals post-treated with 200 mg/kg bw/day of Curcumin showed restoration of irregular nuclear membrane of oocyte. The vasicles were uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm. The swollen mitochondria become normal. The tunicaalbuginiaexhihited regular appearance alongwith restoration of nucleus and mitochondria.

Keywords: Curcumin, Ovary, Transmission electron microscopy, Sodium fluoride, Wistar female albino rats.