Introduction: Semicarbazide (SEM) has gained concerns about its existence, excessive exposure and possible hazards to the human health. Infants and children are at more risk of exposure to SEM because their high intake of food put in glass jars as jams, fruit juices, honey, sterilized vegetables, mayonnaise, mustard, sauces and ketchups.
Aim of Work: To estimate the effects of semicarbazide on histological ovarian structure of adult albino rats and the chance for recovery after its withdrawal.
Materials and Methods: Forty-five adult female albino rats were divided into three groups. Control, semicarbazide treated (40 mg/kg body weight / day for four weeks) and withdrawal group (given SEM for four weeks as the previous group, then SEM was withdrawn for 2 weeks). Samples were gathered and examined by light and transmission electron microscopes. Changes in body weight, Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Estradiol (E2) levels were estimated.
Results: SEM enhanced significant drop in body weight, GnRH, LH, FSH and E2 hormone levels as well as histopathological alterations of ovarian tissues. Ovarian alterations appeared as degenerated follicles with exfoliated cells and hyaline material in their lumen. Granulosa cells were widly separated with ill-defined corona radiata. Various ultrastructural changes in follicular cells with irregularity and thickening in basement membranes surrounding them. Many lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of granulosa lutein cells were also demonstrated. These alterations were partially reversed on withdrawal of SEM.
Conclusion: Semicarbazide induced dangerous changes in rat ovarian structure. Parts of these changes were reversed after withdrawal of this agent but others were still present which have negative impact on reproductive functions.