Effect of lead exposure during perinatal period on kidney of adult offspring in rat: A stereological study

Abstract

Lead is the most common toxic metal in nature, and its adverse effects on various organs, including the kidneys. As a complicated process, kidney development is influenced by various environmental variables. Although lead toxicity can occur at any age, it is important in pregnant mothers and infants. Therefore, the present study investigated how the low dose of lead administration could affect kidney offspring in rat model. To this aim, a stereology technique was used. A randomized sampling was used to assign animals to five groups. The first one (i.e., Group 1 as the control) was provided with ordinary drinking water plus glacial acetic acid (0.5 ml/liter) 0 as a lead acetate solvent. Animals in Group 2 were administrated 0.2% of lead acetate in drinking water for 30 days prior mating. Rats in Group 3 received drinking water with 0.2% of lead for 21 days during pregnancy. Animals in Group 4 consumed 0.2% of lead acetate in their water for 21 days within their lactation. Group 5 was provided with 0.2 % lead acetate in water in their pre-pregnancy (30 days), pregnancy (21 days) and lactation (21 days) periods. The left kidney was removed from male offspring 60 days after birth. The volume of the kidney, cortex, medulla, proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) as well as distal convoluted tubules (DCT), and also the length of PCT and DCT, were analyzed by means of stereology. The findings revealed a reduction in the volume and length of the DCT as well as some pathological effects in experimental groups, compared to the control group. Due to the ameliorating effect of lead in perinatal period even in low doses on offspring kidneys, cautiousness is needed in this period.