Introduction: Arsenic is a standout amongst the most lethal metals
derived from the natural environment. The major reason for human arsenic
toxicity is tainting of drinking water. Arsenic trioxide is inorganic arsenic
that is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a known
human carcinogen. Aim: Illustration of morphological and histological
effects of arsenic trioxide on mice offspring. Methods: Adult female albino
mice were divided into five groups: Control, negative control treated with
Hcl (arsenic trioxide solvent), and three groups daily treated orally with
different doses of arsenic trioxide (0.3, 0.7 and 1 mg/kg). Offspring of 21
day old mice were morphologically examined, weighed and morphometric
measurements were carried out. Liver and kidney were histopathologically
examined. Results: Data showed a significant decrease in body weight and
crown rump length in the arsenic high dose treated group and a significant
decrease in head circumference, thigh and a significant increase in foot
length of all treated groups. Statistics revealed a significant increase in tail
measurements with the lowest dose, while the higher doses showed a
significant decrease. Severe degenerative histopathological changes in
different treatments were also observed. Discussion: Exposure of mice
embryos to arsenic trioxide before and during pregnancy-induced
morphological and histological abnormalities. It is suggested that the
inhibitory effects of arsenic trioxide on embryonic development and body
measurement might be attributed to elevating proapoptotic and decreasing
antiapoptotic gene activity. The increase of foot and tail measurements in
some cases might be explained as a result of increased proliferation rate and
mutation in developing systems.