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Higher magnification showing the secretory epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm. They consist of cells with dark irregular nuclei (ds) and other cells with pale vesicular nuclei (ps). The dark cells have an apparent brush border (↑↑). Control group, H&E, × 640.
Source publication
Introduction Arsenic is a toxic mutagenic metalloid and a major pollutant of water. Exposure to arsenic produces various adverse reproductive effects. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has an important role in the female reproductive system. Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of sodium arsenite on the structure of the endometr...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... simple columnar epithelium lining the endometrium was formed of secretory epithelial cells with pale vacuolated cytoplasm. There were two types of secretory cells: dark cells with dark irregular nuclei and pale cells with pale vesicular nuclei. The dark cells had an apparent brush border (Fig. ...
Context 2
... simple columnar epithelium lining the endometrium was formed of secretory epithelial cells with pale vacuolated cytoplasm. There were two types of secretory cells: dark cells with dark irregular nuclei and pale cells with pale vesicular nuclei. The dark cells had an apparent brush border (Fig. ...
Citations
... The most prevalent mode of exposure to arsenic is through drinking water [2]. The abundant form of arsenic present in drinking water is the oxidized form (arsenate). Arsenate is converted in vivo to arsenite, which is known to be a more toxic form [3]. Arsenic is well-documented as a disruptor of the endocrine system, affecting various glands including the adrenal and thyroid [4,5]. ...
... Notably, present findings exhibit that arsenic exposure disrupts the estrous cycle, suggesting that these alterations might be due to decreased fT3 and fT4, either directly or indirectly, which need to be further investigated. The disturbance in the estrous cycle during arsenic exposure aligns with previous research [3,18]. A recent study suggests that arsenic influences the DNA methylation pattern of the steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) promoter by interacting with DNMT3A (DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3α), which in turn leads to the induction of steroidogenesis disorders [19]. ...
Thyroid issues are common among women in their reproductive years, and women with thyroid dysfunction often encounter challenges with fertility. Arsenic is known for its toxic effects on the thyroid and ovaries, investigated independently. However, there is no known study directly or indirectly addressing the association between arsenic, thyroid function, and ovarian reserve. This study aims to investigate the effect of arsenic on thyroid function and its possible implications on ovarian follicular reserve. Female Balb/c mice were given sodium arsenite (0.2 ppm, 2 ppm, and 20 ppm) via drinking water for 30 days. Findings showed that arsenic decreased thyroid hormone levels (fT3 and fT4) while increasing TSH levels, which might have led to elevated levels of FSH and LH. Furthermore, arsenic treatment not only decreased thyroid follicle sizes but also altered the ovarian follicular count. The finding demonstrates that arsenic significantly reduced the expression of LAMP1, a lysosomal marker protein. This reduction leads to increased lysosomal permeability in the thyroid, resulting in a significant release of cathepsin B. These changes led to hypothyroidism, which might indirectly affect the ovaries. Also, the elevated levels of growth differentiation factor-8 in arsenic-treated ovaries indicate impaired folliculogenesis and ovulation. Furthermore, arsenic significantly increased the expressions of pAkt and pFoxo3a, implying that arsenic accelerated the activation of the primordial follicular pools. In conclusion, arsenic disrupts lysosomal stabilization, potentially leading to a decline in circulating fT3 and fT4 levels. This disturbance could, in turn, affect the estrous cycle and may alter the pattern of follicular development.
... The experimental animals were exposed to arsenic at a level of 53. 39 A marked decrease in the absolute and relative testicular weight was observed. The sperm count, motility was decreased upon arsenic exposure while there is an increment in abnormal sperm. ...
Arsenic is ubiquitously present in the earth’s crust. Population across the world gets exposed to arsenic mainly through drinking water, responsible for causing diseases like hypertension, skin pigmentation, skin lesion, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. However, arsenic also disturbs the male and female hormone balance in the body, thus, interfering with the process of spermatogenesis and oogenesis. This eventually leads to infertility in the reproductive system irrespective of gender. Cohort studies have revealed that when pregnant women get exposed to arsenic-contaminated water; it leads to abortion, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Thus, arsenic contamination from any source has a devastating effect on the life of organisms and also on the environment.
... As-induced toxicity depends on its oxidation state and chemical form [1][2][3]. Arsenic toxicity can result in impaired or reduced mental and central nervous function, loss of body weight, diabetes, liver fibrosis, chronic lung disease, and cancer of the skin [4][5][6]. In addition, some of the arsenicinduced male reproductive disorders such as suppression of testicular enzyme function and spermatogenesis and disturbance of steroidogenesis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, as well as induction of testicular histopathological lesions have been documented [3,[7][8][9]. ...
Arsenic (As) is an environmental pollutant with destructive effects on different body organs, including the testis. This work was aimed to assess the ameliorative role of caffeic acid (CA) against As-provoked testicular damage in mice. Twenty-four adult male mice (31 ± 9 g) were randomly allocated to four equal groups. The first group served as control and was provided basal diet and tap water. Animals in the second group received water containing 200 ppm arsenite. The third group of mice received CA (60 mg/kg body weight; i.p.) during exposure to arsenite. Animals in the fourth group received CA. At the end of the experiment period (21 days), blood and testicular tissue sampling was done for biochemical and histopathological assessments. The results showed a significant decline of testicular ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as plasma concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in As-treated mice compared to controls (p < 0.05). A significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde was also detected in group 2 relative to controls. Moreover, As exposure resulted in some morphological and histopathological alterations of the testis, including hyperemia, reduced tubular diameter and thickness of epithelial cell layers of seminiferous tubules, and Leydig cell necrosis. Simultaneous administration of CA plus As increased GPx, FRAP, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone amounts and attenuated MDA levels as well as histopathological alterations to the levels that were not significantly different from those of the control group. These results indicate that caffeic acid can be suggested as an alleviative natural compound against As-induced damage in mice testes.
... Elshawarby et al. reported that the administration of SA (0.4 ppm/animal) to female albino rats caused congested blood vessels in the uterus of the rat. 43 Our study also showed the presence of congested vessels in the uterus of the SA treated group. Irregularly shaped nuclei were prominent in SG þ L þ SA treated group that might have generated due to unusually high, sustained estrogenic stimulation and absence of progestational activity. ...
Arsenic contamination in the groundwater of Southern Assam, India is well-documented. A specific type of smokeless tobacco (sadagura, SG) is highly prevalent among the local population. Thus, the present study is aimed to evaluate the toxicological implications of arsenic and smokeless tobacco co-exposure on the reproductive health of female mice. The estrous cycle of experimental animals was monitored for 30days. Histopathological studies and comet assay of ovarian and uterine tissues were performed after 30days of exposure to SG and arsenic (sodium arsenite, SA). Oxidative stress was estimated biochemically by taking tissue glutathione, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and superoxide dismutase activity as endpoints. Our findings indicated a prolonged diestrus phase in the SGþL þ SA group (p<0.001). Histopathological study revealed abnormal tissue architecture in treated groups. Comet assay study showed that SGþSA exposure significantly induced DNA damage in test animals. The elevated LPO level in the SGþSA group indicated oxidative stress generation in the reproductive tissues. The present study suggests that female reproductive organs are vulnerable to SA and SG and oxidative stress generation may be the possible mechanism behind DNA damage, impaired follicular growth, atresia, and altered estrous cycle in the mice test system.
... Effect of Sodium arsenate on animals' body weight has been studied by many researchers (Elshawarby et al. 2014;Khan et al., 2014 andRodriguez et al., 2016). In this study, the adverse effect of As-induced toxicity on body weight was significantly (P< 0.01 and P< 0.001) present. ...
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium arsenate (Na 3 AsO 4 ) on the female reproductive organs, and to study the effect of Spirulina platensis (Sp) as an ameliorating agent in the arsenic-induced toxicity. 40 female Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into four equal groups, 10 rats in each group; control group and three groups that received spirulina (Sp), sodium arsenate, and sodium arsenate plus spirulina respectively, for 2 months. Results showed that the body weight in female rats was significantly reduced in arsenic-treated group compared to the control, while the co-treatment with Sp significantly restored the body weight. Arsenic significantly increased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly reduced serum glutathione (GSH) activities in comparison with the control group. Spirulina co-treatment significantly restored GSH levels and significantly reduced MDA in comparison to arsenic-treated group. Histopathologically, uterus and ovaries of arsenic-treated group showed different degenerative changes which improved with the Spirulina co-treatment. Immunohistochemistry determined the role of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the arsenic toxicity and Spirulina Platensis mechanism of protection in arsenic-induced toxicity. In conclusion, arsenic-induced toxicity in female rats could be ameliorated by Spirulina platensis co-administration through Nrf2 pathway.
... Esto podría atribuirse al efecto antimitótico de la mimosina sobre las células (Hughes y Cook, 1996;Krude, 1999;Bianco et al., 2006;Hallak et al., 2008) o a la acción inhibitoria de los alcaloides sobre los receptores de estradiol y progesterona, hormonas responsables de estimular el desarrollo de las glándulas en el endometrio (Lessey et al., 1996;Lecce et al., 2001). Según investigaciones en África, el consumo de plantas con alcaloides, como la mimosina, altera el desarrollo glandular y la estructura del tejido endometrial en mujeres y animales (Dabhadkar et al., 2012;Udoh, 2012;Elshawarby et al., 2014). ...
... It could also be the result of the inhibitory action that alkaloids have on the estradiol and progesterone receptors -the hormones in charge of stimulating the development of the endometrial glands (Lessey et al., 1996;Lecce et al., 2001). According to researches carried out in Africa, the consumption of plants that contain alkaloids (such as mimosine) alters the development of glands and the structure of the endometrial tissue in women and animals (Dabhadkar et al., 2012;Udoh, 2012;Elshawarby et al., 2014). ...
Leucaena leucocephala is a shrub rich in proteins and mimosine. This high-density crop is cultivated to increase protein intake in cattle production systems. Mimosine is an antimitotic and its effect on the endometrium is still unknown. It is presumed that it could accumulate in the endometrial tissue, inhibiting the development of the endometrial glands, which are in charge of nurturing the embryo. The objective of this study was to determine mimosine accumulation in the endometrial tissue as a result of the consumption of L. leucocephala and to observe its effect in the development of the endometrial glands of early postpartum cows in a silvopastoral system. Twenty-four Bos indicus-Bos taurus cows were divided in two treatments: grazing in a silvopastoral system (SSP, n=12), formed by the association of Cynodon nlemfuensis and L. leucocephala, var. Cunningham; and grazing in a monoculture system (SM, n=12) of C. nlemfuensis. Mimosine consumption per kilogram of live weight was estimated based on the daily consumption of mimosine per cow. Mimosine concentration in the uterine tissue was determined using HPLC. A Student's t test (p ≤ 0.05) was applied to contrast the differences between the mimosine concentration in the endometrial tissue of functional and non-functional glands. Mimosine accumulated in the endometrial tissue of SSP cows. Its concentration ranged from 51.02 to 63.45 μg g⁻¹ of endometrial tissue (TE). The endometrial glands had a normal development, with -53.73 μg g⁻¹ mimosine concentration in TE. By contrast, with 60.81 μg g⁻¹, or higher, TE concentrations, endometrial glands showed signs of atrophy. Daily mimosine consumption in the SSP was 0.019 g kg⁻¹ live weight. Mimosine from L. leucocephala consumption accumulates in the endometrial tissue and can cause endometrial glands atrophy in early postpartum cows.
Background
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial hormonal disorder accompanied by impairment of endometrial function and structure. Pomegranate is recognized for its role in normalizing the female sex hormones in PCOS with little known about its effect on the accompanying endometrial histological alterations.
Aim of the work
To assess the possible ameliorative role of pomegranate juice extract (PJE) on endometrial injury in a rat model of PCOS.
Material and methods
Forty adult albino rats were equally divided into 4 groups; control, PJE-treated (400 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks), letrozole-treated (PCOS) (1 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks), and PJE & PCOS groups. Serum Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, estradiol, and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed. Uterine samples were processed for histological staining with hematoxylin & eosin and Masson's trichrome stains, Ki67 and androgen receptor immunohistochemical staining, and scanning electron microscopy.
Results
PCOS group revealed a significant increase in serum FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, and tissue MDA. Uterine sections depicted various histological alterations in the endometrium with signs of inflammation. A significant increase in the endometrial collagen fiber content, as well as a significant upregulation in Ki67 and androgen receptor immunohistochemical expression were detected. Scanning electron microscopy showed a significant decrease in the mean number of pinopodes. Concomitant administration of PJE efficiently restored the studied biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical parameters.
Conclusion
PJE ameliorated PCOS accompanying endometrial histological alterations through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-androgenic effects most probably due to its polyphenols content.
Ultrastructural changes on the apical surface of the luminal epithelium of the uterus are known as pinopodes. Their morphology in species and in special species is associated with different results about size, duration, and percentage of surface area covered by pinopodes. The content of pinopodes is different in rodents and humans. In mice and rats pinopodes have many vacuoles and no organelle that extends to the actin stalk above the microvilli. Human pinopodes do not have a large vacuole and contain the golgi complex, a rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicles, and mitochondria that extend from the entire cell surface. It has been suggested that pinopodes are good markers of endometrial receptivity and implantation window. There are several molecular markers related to the presence of pinopodes, including integrins, leukemia inhibiting factor (LIF), l‐selectin, HOXA10, glutaredoxin, glycodelinA, heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor, mucins, and microRNAs (miRNAs). Multiple lines of evidence have indicated that miRNAs could affect the expression of LIF and pinopodes in the endometrium and these molecules play key roles in implantation window processes. Here, we have summarized the morphology and function of pinopodes. Moreover, we have highlighted several molecules in relation to pinopodes that could be used as biomarkers. Here, we summarized morphology and function of pinopodes. Moreover, we highlighted several molecules related with pinopodes which could be used as biomarkers.
