Effect of Selenium on Carbendazim - Induced Ovarian Toxicity in Albino Rats: Histomorphometric and Histochemical Study

Introduction: Carbendazim is a systemic benzimidazole fungicide used in plant disease control. Selenium is an essential micronutrient in the mammalian diet and showed many therapeutic effects. Objective: The present work evaluated the effect of carbendazim on ovary of albino rats and the ameliorative role of selenium. Methods: Animals were divided into four groups. G1 was considered as control. G2 was given sodium selenite (10 μg/kg b.w) for 3 days weekly for 6 weeks. G3 was orally given 100 mg/kg b.w. carbendazim for 3 days weekly for 6 weeks. G4 was orally administered carbendazim and sodium selenite 3 days/week for 6 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and ovaries were removed and stained with H&E for histological examinations and stained with PAS and bromophenol blue for polysaccharides and proteins, respectively. Results: Treating rats with carbendazim (100 mg/Kg b.w /3 days weekly for 6 weeks) causes histological alterations in the ovary compared with control group. The majority of the ovarian follicles were declined and diminished in number. The atretic follicles increased with increase of collagen fibers and the blood vessels were dilated and congested. Histochemical results revealed decrease in polysaccharides and DNA contents in the ovarian follicles and germinal epithelium. Treating animals with carbendazim and selenium (10 μg/kg b.w/3 days weekly for 6 weeks) caused an improvement in the histological structure as well as histochemical components of the ovarian tissue. Conclusion: It is recommended that the ameliorative impact of selenium against the histological and histochemical changes actuated via carbendazim may be because of its antioxidant activity.

Author(s): Saber A. Sakr, Yosry A. Okdah and Seham A. Ibrahim

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