Present study critically examines the magnitude and relationships of the bioaccumulation and histopathological changes in midgut tissue of silkworms treated with sub-sub lethal (2.75 mg/kg b.w) doses of fluoride, since the mulberry gardens occasionally get contaminated with fluoride. An Electron microscopic study was made on midgut histopathology of silkworm on exposure to fluoride. The midgut of the silkworm on exposure to sub-sub lethal dose exhibited little regression in the columnar epithelial cells. The nuclei were well evident in the apical region of columnar and goblet cells. Cytoplasmic granules and globules from the columnar cells into the space lying in between peritrophic membrane and epithelium were observed in 2^nd day after exposure of fluoride. On the day 3^rd the columnar cells of the anterior midgut were swollen apically and began to extrude large cytoplasmic vesicles into the gut lumen. The goblet cells were vacuolated, the membranous vesicles were absent, and the regenerative cells remain unaffected. However on the 4^th day exposure of sub-sub lethal dose of fluoride there are no significant conspicuous changes. The goblet and columnar cells discharged membranous vesicles indicating normal functioning of the midgut after the due recovery from the histopathological injury. Bioaccumulation of fluoride showed an increment at 2^nd and 3^rd days whereas the increment was not statistically significant at 4^th day of sub-sub lethal doses of exposure. Thus variations in the fluoride concentrations of the silkworm exposed to fluoride indicates its toxic effect on the cellular metabolism thereby leading to impaired protein synthetic machinery is clearly evidenced by histopathological studies.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/28189 must be provided.

1. Influence of fluoride on cocoon production/ Protein profiles in different improved silkworm varieties, Bombyx mori L.  
2. Silkworm growth and nutrition  - Impact of fluoride toxicity