The effects of lead nitrate on the central nervous system of the chick embryo. II. Electron microscopy and histochemistry: peroxisomes.
The deleterious effects of lead on the developing central nervous system were observed in chick embryos that were exposed to lead nitrate at 10 days of incubation. At 16 days, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spinal cord were fixed in gluteraldehyde and processed for electron microscopy, either directly or following incubation in media containing 3,3-diaminobenzidine and hydrogen peroxide for the histochemical detection of catalase-reactive peroxisomes. The results indicate that peroxisomes are not destroyed as are other components of the neuropil after lead exposure. Catalase-reactive peroxisomes appear to increase in number in the spinal cords of lead-treated embryos suggesting that these organelles may play a part in the response of glial cells to metabolic alterations induced by lead. Further experimentation using the chick embryo as an animal model for studies of lead-induced neuropathy is encouraged.
De Gennaro
L D
LD
Biology Department, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214.
D015100:3,3'-Diaminobenzidine; D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008830:Microbodies / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009566:Nitrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009566:Nitrates; D007854:Lead; D015100:3,3'-Diaminobenzidine; C017461:lead nitrate; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase