On the distribution of heavy metals in the ovary of common ground squirrel, Funambulus pennanti: a histochemical study.

A histochemical survey of few minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, nickel, bismuth, lead and zinc have been made in the ovary of common ground squirrel, Funambulus pennanti. Magnesium, nickel, bismuth, lead and zinc which are beleived not to occur normally in tissues, were fed orally and separately to the squirrels, while no extra diet was administered for iron and calcium. After fifteen days of this treatment, ovaries from different squirrel groups were examined to locate the presence of respective metals applying specific histochemical methods. The results thus obtained proove the retention of Fe, Ca, Ni, Mg, and Bi in the ovarian tissue while Pb and Zn could not be trace out. Possible roles of these elements, apart from that of nutrition are discussed with special reference to gonads, mentioning the rate and degree of toxicity wherever it is caused.