Gold and Female Reproductive Organs: an Ultrastructural Study. 2018

Nedra Badri, and Maroua Mhamdi, and Ridha Ben Ali, and Horea Matei, and Walid-Habib Tekaya, and Adrian Florea, and Samira Maghraoui, and Leila Tekaya
Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 15 Rue Djebel Lakhdhar. La Rabta, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia. nedra.badri@yahoo.fr.

Gold, a heavy yellow-colored metal, is usually found in nature as a metallic element or as salts. This noble metal historically had a reputation as an anti-inflammatory medicine for rheumatoid arthritis, a nervine, and a remedy for nervous disorders, as well as a potential anticancer agent. It has also been used as component in dental restorations and in implant materials. The present study was undertaken to point out histological and ultrastructural effects of gold, administered by intraperitoneal route, in pregnant female reproductive organs (ovary and uterus), in order to clarify its side effects on the reproductive function. Using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the ultrastructural investigations of both ultrathin ovarian and uterine sections of treated pregnant rats revealed the existence of numerous heterogeneous clusters with very electron-dense inclusions characterized by various aspects in the lysosomes of granulosa, theca interna cells, and theca externa cells. Degeneration of these tissues, like cell vacuolization, marked expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial alterations, and necrotic foci, were also highlighted. Moreover, huge phagolysosomes and high numbers of eosinophils as signs of inflammation were also identified especially in endometrial and myometrial cells of gold-treated rats. The ultrastructural investigations of reproductive organ sections of control pregnant rats showed a normal ultrastructural aspect and no loaded lysosomes. These results speculated the toxicity of gold at the used dose. The observed signs of toxicity allowed concluding that the important role of lysosome in the sequestration of this element under an insoluble form in all categories of cells in the studied tissues does not seem to be efficient.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009215 Myometrium The smooth muscle coat of the uterus, which forms the main mass of the organ. Uterine Muscle,Muscle, Uterine,Muscles, Uterine,Uterine Muscles
D010053 Ovary The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE. Ovaries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D004717 Endometrium The mucous membrane lining of the uterine cavity that is hormonally responsive during the MENSTRUAL CYCLE and PREGNANCY. The endometrium undergoes cyclic changes that characterize MENSTRUATION. After successful FERTILIZATION, it serves to sustain the developing embryo. Endometria
D005260 Female Females
D005835 Genitalia The external and internal organs involved in the functions of REPRODUCTION. Accessory Sex Organs,Genital Organs,Sex Organs, Accessory,Genital System,Genitals,Reproductive Organs,Reproductive System,Accessory Sex Organ,Genital,Genital Organ,Genital Systems,Organ, Accessory Sex,Organ, Genital,Organ, Reproductive,Organs, Accessory Sex,Organs, Genital,Organs, Reproductive,Reproductive Organ,Reproductive Systems,Sex Organ, Accessory,System, Genital,System, Reproductive,Systems, Genital,Systems, Reproductive
D006046 Gold A yellow metallic element with the atomic symbol Au, atomic number 79, and atomic weight 197. It is used in jewelry, goldplating of other metals, as currency, and in dental restoration. Many of its clinical applications, such as ANTIRHEUMATIC AGENTS, are in the form of its salts.
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014599 Uterus The hollow thick-walled muscular organ in the female PELVIS. It consists of the fundus which is the site of EMBRYO IMPLANTATION and FETAL DEVELOPMENT. Beyond the isthmus at the perineal end of fundus, is CERVIX UTERI (the neck) opening into VAGINA. Beyond the isthmi at the upper abdominal end of fundus, are the FALLOPIAN TUBES. Fundus Uteri,Uteri,Uterine Cornua,Uterine Fundus,Uterus Cornua,Womb,Cornua, Uterine,Fundus Uterus,Fundus, Uterine,Uteri, Fundus,Wombs
D046529 Microscopy, Electron, Transmission Electron microscopy in which the ELECTRONS or their reaction products that pass down through the specimen are imaged below the plane of the specimen. Electron Diffraction Microscopy,Electron Microscopy, Transmission,Microscopy, Electron Diffraction,Transmission Electron Microscopy,Diffraction Microscopy, Electron,Microscopy, Transmission Electron

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