THE EFFECTS OF ARSENIC ON DEVELOPMENT OF EYES IN MICE EMBRYOS

arsenic is an important environmental toxicant which is usually found in
drinking water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of arsenic on development of visual
system on mouse embryos.
Materials & Methods: In this study 30 albino mice were used in controls and experimental groups
(N=15). The experimental group received 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally sodium arsenic on the 8th day of
gestation. On the 10th, 16th and 19th days of the gestation the pregnant mice were sacrificed and the
embryos were removed from uterus. All embryos of the groups were examined macroscopically and
microscopically by H&E and immunufoluorescence staining for detection of Reduced Folate Carrier 1
(RFC1).
Results: Macroscopic observations of the 16th and 19th days in the experimental group showed
anophtalmia or defect in eye ball formation. Histological examination by H&E revealed that 60% of
experimental embryos belonged to (E10), 60% (E16) and 33.5% (E19) showed defects in development
of different layers of eye. Furthermore, the expression of retina layer RCF 1 in the experimental group
decreased in compared control.
Conclusion: These results demonstrated the association between prenatal exposure to inorganic
arsenic and eye defects and more likely related to a defect in RFC1.