The College of Education at the University of Basra discussed a master’s thesis in the Department of Life Sciences by student Ola Raad Badr, entitled:
“Study of the effect of potassium dichromate on some physiological and histological parameters of female laboratory rats.”

The study aimed to know the effect of this substance on the thyroid and reproductive glands, and birth defects, in addition to its effect on the liver and spleen. The experiment was conducted on a group of laboratory rats, which were divided into three groups, dosed with specific doses, and then subjected to dissection and laboratory analysis.

The results showed noticeable changes in blood parameters, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, as well as changes in the level of reproductive hormones, which negatively affected the health of the newborns in terms of weight and the appearance of some deformities, in addition to changes in the tissue structure of the organs.

The study recommended avoiding the use of plastic to store hot materials, and conducting further studies using different concentrations to determine the possible effects on the rest of the organs.