The aim of this study was to determine effects of Cd on the structure of ovary, oviduct and uterus after an experimental administration. Animals were divided into three groups. In group A rabbits received cadmium i.p. and were killed after 48 h. In group C Cd was administered p.o. for 5 month. The group K was the control. Decreased relative volume of growing follicles and increased stroma after Cd administration were detected. The number of atretic follicles was significantly higher after administration of Cd. The most frequent ultrastructural alterations observed were undulation of external nuclear membrane, dilatation of perinuclear cistern and endoplasmic reticulum. In all studied types of cells mitochondria with altered structure were found. In the oviduct the highest amount of epithelium in the group with long-term Cd administration was found. Microscopic analysis showed oedematization of the oviduct tissue, caused by disintegration of the capillary wall. An electron microscopic analysis showed dilatation of perinuclear cistern. The intercellular spaces were enlarged and junctions between cells were affected. Mainly after a long-term cadmium administration nuclear chromatin disintegration was present. In the uterus a significant change was determined in the relative volume of glandular epithelium. Increase of stroma was a sign of uterus oedamatization caused by damage in the wall of blood vessels and subsequent diapedesis. After Cd administration alteration in uterus were less expressed, in comparison with ovary and oviduct. Alteration of nuclear chromatin contain following Cd administration suggests degenerative functional changes.

Massányi P., V. Uhrín, A. V. Sirotkin, K. Paksy, Zs. Forgács, R. Toman, J. Kováãik: Effects of Cadmium on Ultrastructure and Steroidogenesis in Cultured Porcine Ovarian Granulosa Cells. Acta Vet. Brno 2000, 69: 101-106. Cadmium is an environmental risk factor having various toxic effects both in animals and in humans. The aim of this study was to study its effects on the structure and function of porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured in vitro.Ultrastructure of granulosa cells was studied after 48 h of culture with (0.2, 10 and 20 ng CdCl 2 /ml) of without cadmium using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Quantification of progesterone and 17-β-oestradiol was performed directly from aliquots of the media from control and treated cells by radioimmunoassay (RIA).After cadmium administration cell membranes were disintegrated. It was manifested by occurrence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm.The vacuoles contained fibrillar or membranous material. The Golgi complex rarely remained intact. Increased number of lysosomes was detected. With increasing cadmium concentrations the number of lipid droplets increased. In some cells the changes were less evident and dense mitochondria with distinct membranes were found. In other cell types the amount of mitochondrial matrix increased and that of membranes decreased. Some mitochondria fused with lysosomes. The endoplasmic reticulum rarely remained intact, and its dilation was well visible on transverse sections. Nuclei with distinct heterochromatin at the nuclear membrane were often observed. In these nuclei perinuclear cistern was dilated. Less frequently nuclei with condensed chromatin reminiscent of pyknosis were observed. Some nuclei had dispersed fine granular chromatin. In other cells changes were less evident, and comprised condensed chromatin in the central part of nuclei. These structural changes of granulosa cells exposed to cadmium were related to premature luteinization of these cells. In the evaluation of steroidogenesis we found that cadmium induced an increase in progesterone production, and a decrease in 17-β-oestradiol production by ovarian granulosa cells; however, these differences were not significant. The results of our study elucidate some of the effects of cadmium on gonadal function, and should also serve to increase the level of awareness of its effects on human and animal health.

The effects of cadmium on the uterus of rabbits were studied by light microscopy with morphometry. The experiment involved 32 animals. Cadmium was applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) to group A (1.5 mg/kg body weight), perorally (p.o.) to group B (1.0 mg/kg b.w.) for a 5-month period, and also p.o. (1.0 mg/kg b.w.) for a 5-month period of application followed by a 7-month cessation of application for group C. All experimental groups were compared to a control group (K), as well as to other experimental groups. Animals were examined after the experimental period.In the uterus, the amount of endometrium was in the range of 48.42% to 50.37%, and that of myometrium of 51.58% to 49.63%. The percentage of glandular epithelium in the endometrium was significantly lower in group A in comparison with group C (P<0.05). Amount of stroma was significantly higher in the group receiving i.p., in comparison with the group receiving p.o. administration for a 5-month period (P<0.01). From the photographed pictures edematization of uterus with desintegrations in the blood vessel wall and subsequent diapedesis were evident.

Cadmium is an environmental risk factor having various toxic effects both in animals and in humans. The aim of this study was to determine effects of cadmium on the ultrastructure of various ovarian cells in rabbits after an experimental administration. The structure of ovarian cells (granulosa, thecal, stromal, endothelial cells) was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Animals (n = 24) were divided into 3 groups (K, A, C). In group A (n = 8) rabbits received cadmium i.p. (1.5 mg·kg -1 body weight) and subsequently were killed 48 h after administration of cadmium. In group C (n = 8) cadmium was administered at a dose of 1.0 mg·kg -1 b.m. for 5 month in pelleted food. The last group (K) was the control, receiving no cadmium.Qualitative analysis of granulosa cells showed undulation of nuclear membrane, dilatation of perinuclear cistern and endoplasmic reticulum. In theca cells dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum was the most characteristic alteration. Also dilatation of perinuclear cistern was evident. In stromal ovarian cells very intensive dilatation of perinuclear cistern and structures with smooth membranes were detected. In endothelial cells dilated mitochondria with altered inner structure, mainly missing cristae were found.Quantitative analysis of granulosa cells found significant (p < 0.05) decrease of relative volume of mitochondria in group C in comparison with group A. In ovarian thecal cells a significant (p < 0.001) increase of the relative volume of endoplasmic reticulum in group A in comparison with control group was detected. In ovarian stromal cells a significant increase of the relative volume of smooth membranes in comparison with control animals was found. In endothelial cells we have observed significantly higher amount of mitochondria and cytoplasm in group A in comparison with control group.These results describe the fine structural alterations of ovarian cells after administration of cadmium. The negative effect of this common environmental toxicant was detected in all studied cell types and we conclude that it is cell-dependent.

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