Ultrastructural Investigation of the Effect of Methyl Parathion on the Oral Mucosa of Albino Rats

Abstract

Insecticides are chemical and biological materials that are used by man to control harmful living organisms. The present experimental study was carried out on albino rats to obtain ultrastructural information about the effect of methyl parathion insecticide on the oral mucosa. 12 adult male albino rats received methyl parathion insecticide (22 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for 90 days. Furthermore, 3 rats were served as control. All rats were decapitated and the biopsy specimens were obtained from the buccal mucosa. They were immediately cut into small pieces, fixed and processed accordingly for the transmission electron microscopic investigation. The chronic administration of methyl parathion insecticide resulted in marked changes in the oral tissues under investigation. In conclusion, the degenerative changes in cellular structures and organelles as a result of hypoxia to the cells and tissues can be interpreted as a direct toxic effect of the insecticide on the buccal mucosa.