Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well‐recognized endocrine disruptor and is globally used in the manufacture of many plastic items. Multiple studies suggest links between prenatal BPA exposure and alterations in neurodevelopment and behaviors in children, even at lower levels. This study was conducted to reveal the role of astrocyte morphology and Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling in BPA induced cognitive defects in the offspring of Wistar albino rats when exposed during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Methods Dams of Wistar albino rats were exposed to a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight of BPA throughout the pregnancy and lactation period until the third postnatal day (PND). After delivery of pups, cognitive tests were carried out on the 21st, 24th, and 28th PNDs. Blood samples were collected for measurement of serum GABA levels. On the same day as the blood collections, pups were sacrificed and their right frontal cortices were dissected out. Immunohistochemical analysis for glial fibrillar acidic protein + astrocytes was conducted. Results Pre and postnatal BPA exposure led to anxiety like behavior in pups. This exposure also resulted in reduced serum GABA concentrations. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed reduced astrocyte numbers as well as decreased numbers of dendritic spines in the BPA exposed pups. Conclusion BPA exposure during critical periods of development leads to cognitive impairments that correlate with the defects in the GABA signaling pathways and deteriorated morphology of the astrocytes in the offspring of the Wistar rats.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects ofrecombinant human interferon-α-2b (rh-INF-α-2b) on testicular histomorphology in adult ratmodel. Study Design: Experimental study. Place & Duration: Animal house, Sindh AgricultureUniversity Tando Jam and Isra University Hyderabad from January to December 2014.Methodology: 80 adult albino rats were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteriaand divided into 4 groups. Group I: Control rats 0.9% saline, Group II: rhIFN α-2b (3MIU),Group III: rhIFN α-2b (5MIU) and Group IV received rhIFN α-2b (10MIU). The rhIFN α-2b wasinjected intra-peritoneal (i.p) three times a week for 3 weeks in doses of 3MIU, 5MIU and10MIU. Animals were euthanized. Orchidectomy was performed and testicles were stored in10% formaldehyde. 5μ thick tissue sections were stained by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H & E).Results: Atrophic seminiferous tubules with clumping of lining epithelia were noted. Germ cellmaturation arrested was prominent; hypervascularity with reduced germ cells and sperm cellswere noted in high dose rhIFN α-2b treated groups. Tubular desquamation and thick basementmembrane were visible. The sertoli cells and interstitial cells of Leydig counts were increased.Conclusion: It is concluded that the recombinant human interferon-α-2b exerts serious adverseeffects on testicular histomorphology.

Authors' Contribution HK conceived the idea of the research and wrote the manuscript. AW carried out the experimental work and YM, Summaya K and Salman K helped hiim. AK and IK helped in the execution of the experiments. SA and NK analysed of the data statically.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of recombinant human interferon-α-2b (rh-INF-α-2b) on testicular histomorphology in adult rat model. Study Design: Experimental study. Place & Duration: Animal house, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and Isra University Hyderabad from January to December 2014. Methodology: 80 adult albino rats were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into 4 groups. Group I: Control rats 0.9% saline, Group II: rhIFN α-2b (3MIU), Group III: rhIFN α-2b (5MIU) and Group IV received rhIFN α-2b (10MIU). The rhIFN α-2b was injected intra-peritoneal (i.p) three times a week for 3 weeks in doses of 3MIU, 5MIU and 10MIU. Animals were euthanized. Orchidectomy was performed and testicles were stored in 10% formaldehyde. 5µ thick tissue sections were stained by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H & E). Results: Atrophic seminiferous tubules with clumping of lining epithelia were noted. Germ cell maturation arrested was prominent; hypervascularity with reduced germ cells and sperm cells were noted in high dose rhIFN α-2b treated groups. Tubular desquamation and thick basement membrane were visible. The sertoli cells and interstitial cells of Leydig counts were increased. Conclusion: It is concluded that the recombinant human interferon-α-2b exerts serious adverse effects on testicular histomorphology.

Background: Erythrocyte Osmotic fragility (EOF) is defined as the degree of hemolysis that occurs when