EJMS

Abstract

Formaldehyde (FA) was used traditionally for fixing cadavers and vaporized during dissection and practical studying on cadavers. So, Anatomy staff, medical students and workers were exposed to FA vapor in the dissection room. This study was designed to determine the histopathological and morphometric changes in the branches of renal and testicular arteries of albino rat after exposure to the usual concentration of FA vapor in the dissection room. Twenty seven adult Albino rats were used & divided into two groups: The first Group (G1): nine rats as control group. The second group (G2): eighteen rats exposed to the usual concentration of FA vapor in the dissection room for 6 hrs./day, 6 days/week for two months. The kidney and testis specimens were prepared for histological examination and stained with haematoxylin & Eosin and Masson's trichrome. Morphometric study of the thickness of the walls of the branches of renal and testicular arteries was done and the obtained data was statistically analyzed. Microscopic examination of kidney and testis sections exposed to FA vapor showed thickening of the walls of the branches of renal and testicular arteries within them respectively. The lumen was narrowed and filled with necrosis of the RBCs. The endothelial lining of the tunica intima was distorted. Masson's trichrome stain showed increase of collagen fibers in the muscular media of the branches of renal and testicular arteries. The morphometric results displayed the difference between the control and exposed groups; there was high significant increase in the mean thickness of the walls of the branches of renal and testicular arteries as compared to the control.