title: Effect of mercury vapor inhalation on rat ovary: Stereology and histopathology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mercury, an environmental contaminant, is a risk factor for health in whole living organisms. In this study, we investigated whether mercury vapor (HgO) inhalation has an effect on rat ovary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve Wistar albino rats were divided equally into experimental (Hg) and control groups (n = 6). Animals in the Hg group were exposed to HgO for 45 days at a dose 1 mg/m(3)/day, after which, histological and stereological assessment were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ovaries exposed to HgO had histo-morphometric alterations. HgO inhalation resulted in reduction of the total number of primordial, primary and Graaf follicles. Also, mean volume of ovary, medulla and cortex, corpus luteum (c. luteum) and Graaf follicles was decreased in the Hg group. Moreover, there was a significant increase in total volume of the atretic follicles. On light microscopy, thickening of tunica albuginea, increase of fibrils within the connective tissue, congestion of the capillaries and venous vessels, thinned walls and fibrin deposition in some large blood vessels, and edema were seen. Also, irregular follicle and oocyte borders, and hydropic degeneration in follicular granulosa cells were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structural alterations could be attributed to the toxic influence of HgO on rat ovary. The use of Hg should therefore be more controlled to minimize its toxic effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berrin Zuhal
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Altunkaynak
authors.affiliation: Departments of Restorative Dentistry, and Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilgun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akgül
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yahyazadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhammed Eyup
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Altunkaynak
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysin Pinar
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Turkmen
authors.affiliation: Departments of Restorative Dentistry, and Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hayati Murat
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Akgül
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bunyami
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ünal
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008628:Mercury / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D017669:Mercury Compounds; D010087:Oxides; D008628:Mercury; C019468:mercuric oxide
keywords: histopathology; inhalation; mercury vapor; ovary; rat; stereology