Open AccessHistopathological Changes in the Liver of Rabbits Exposed to High Nitrate Ingestion in Drinking Water
Author(s) -
Manoj Kumar Sharma
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2013/6224.3208
Subject(s) - nitrate , liter , nitrite , zoology , ingestion , chemistry , eosin , toxicology , medicine , biology , biochemistry , staining , pathology , organic chemistry
In India, especially in Rajasthan, people drink water which contains high level of nitrates and the possibility of finding concentrations of up to 500 mg of nitrate ions per litre of water is not unusual. Excessive use of nitrate fertilisers and herbicides results in accumulation of nitrate in plants and methemoglobinaemia in cattle as consequences of nitrate poisoning. The ingested nitrate is converted to nitrite in the digestive system and it is absorbed in blood, thus causing methemoglobinaemia. Methaemoglobinaemia is not restricted to infants alone, but it is prevalent in higher age groups also.