Endocrine Abstracts

Wistar rats (male) were divided into three groups – group A (GA) served as control, group B (GB) were daily administered orally chlorpyrifos at a dose of 5 mg/kg b wt. and animals in group C (GC) received daily an oral administration of chlorpyrifos at a dose of 10 mg/kg b wt. Rats were sacrificed on 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th week after initiation of the experiment. Changes in serum electrolytes (calcium, phosphate and magnesium) and endocrine glands (calcitonin cells and parathyroid glands) were determined. In chlorpyrifos exposed rats hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia were recorded. At later intervals an increased levels of serum calcium and phosphate were observed. The parathyroid glands and calcitonin cells exhibited increased activity which is evident by increased nuclear volume of these cells. This is the first report describing effects of toxicant on serum magnesium level of mammals.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector

Keywords: Calcitonin cell, cadmium, phosphate, magnesium, parathyroid