A MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF CHLORPROMAZINE (LARGACTIL) TREATED AXOLOTL LARVAE.
In previous publications (Eyal-Giladi & Eyal, 1962; Eyal & Eyal-Giladi, 1963) some of the macroscopic effects produced by chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the development and growth rate of Axolotl embryos have been reported. They include different abnormalities (microcephaly, defects in eyes, gills and pigmentation) depending on the CPZ concentration used and the length of the immersion period. In addition, larvae subjected to high CPZ concentrations and longer time of treatment proved, at the time of fixation, to be smaller than the controls, whereas larvae treated by low CPZ concentrations tended to grow bigger than the controls.

The teratogenic effect and the influence on growth being established, a microscopic examination of the same material was undertaken.

Three experimental series were run, each starting with a different initial developmental stage (Harrison's stages 10–11, 15–16 and 29–30 respectively). Specia's (Paris) CPZ chlorhydrate powder was dissolved in sterile tap water.
Effect of chlorpromazine on skeletogenesis. The result of maternal administration of the drug in experimental rats.
Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) is known to induce intrauterine and extrauterine growth retardation. A single dose of CPZ (100 mg/kg) was administered to pregnant CF rats on the 14th day of gestation (sperm positive=day 0). Fetuses were collected from the 16th to the 20th day of gestation and processed for alizarin red-S stain. Ossification was delayed by 1 to 3 days in the long bones of the extremities, by 1 day in the scapulae and by 2 to 3 days in the ilium. Ischium and pubis remained unossified until the 20th day of gestation. Ossification of the skull bones was also delayed as manifested by the presence of wide sutures in the treated cases. The number and range of ossified vertebral bodies and arches in the treated group were always less than those in the control group. The sternebrae were most affected. The ribs also showed a significant delay in maturity.
Assessment of some agro-technological parameters of cactus pear fruit ( Opuntia ficus-indica Mill . ) in Morocco cultivars
Cactaceae had always attracted attention by their strange shapes and important adaptability supporting extreme conditions. For this reasons, Fruit traits were measured on 13 cultivars growing in different locations in Morocco. Results show significant differences between the cultivars. The source of this variation was probably genetic without excluding the geographic effects. The Tamri, Berkan, Ait Baha cultivars showed small fruit dimensions and weight. In contrast, Sidi-Ifni M, Nador, Mohammedia and Ben Guerir were greater than 100 g by fruit. Sidi-Ifni M, Hoceima, Mohammedia and Nador, although larger, contained few seeds, about 200 seeds per fruit; while Tamri, Ait Baha, Safi, Meknes and Tafraout contained over than 230 seeds per fruit. High levels of juice about 62 ml/100 g pulp were obtained with Sidi-Ifni M, Nador, Mohammedia and Ben Guerir cultivars. Total sugars of the 13 cultivars were quite similar and pH was low in Tamri and close to neutrality in the rest of cultivars. Therefore, oil extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica seeds constituted 13.6% of the whole seed. Thin-layer chromatography in conjunction with gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a relatively high degree of unsaturation, 83.32% and 16% for saturated fatty acid, with a linoleic acid content of 63.66% followed by oleic 18.34%, palmitic 12.84% and stearic acid 2.81%. Based on these results, O. ficus-indica seed oil appears to be a good potential source of edible oil for human and (or) animal consumption. Our investigation describes that Tamri and Tafraout cultivars are not really a commercial viable fruit due to low total soluble solids value and highest seeds number per fruit. Against Mohammedia, Sidi Ifni M and Nador cultivars proved to have the highest fruit weight, very good total soluble solids value and low number of seeds, these cultivars can therefore be planted for both fruit production and for harvesting of cladodes for animal feed.