Environmental cadmium induces histopathological changes in kidneys of roe deer

Abstract

Kidney samples of 224 roe deer (113 males, 111 females) aged three months to approximately nine years were collected in eastern Austria. Cadmium contents were examined and histological examinations were performed considering 11 different pathomorphological parameters. Cadmium burden was relatively high (range: 0.010-22.076 ppm) and increased with age. Females aged one to two years had higher contents than males of the same age. The culling site had no influence on cadmium load. The relation between the occurrence of histopathological changes and age, sex, origin, and cadmium concentration in 208 roe deer was tested. The frequency of vacuolic degeneration, pycnotic nuclei, caryolysis, and necrosis was related to increased cadmium levels. Increasing age correlated with lymphohistiocytic infiltration, interstitial fibrosis, and swelling of glomeruli. Pigment deposits and thickening of Bowman's capsule could be related to both cadmium and age. Furthermore, roe deer from an industrialized region showed alterations more frequently than animals from rural areas. We found no relation between morphological changes and sex. Though it remains to be established whether environmental cadmium exposure is the sole cause for the histopathological alterations observed, the results of this study indicate that chronic cadmium poisoning may be an important cofactor in the pathogenic mechanisms of renal damage in roe deer and that cadmium intoxication may be more widespread among wildlife than previously known.

Cadmium accumulation, metallothionein and glutathione levels, and histopathological changes in the kidneys and liver of magpie (Pica pica) from a zinc smelter area

“…Spearman correlation coefficient (R s ) susceptible to Cd toxicity as are some mammalian species (Beiglbock et al 2002;Damek-Poprawa and SawickaKapusta 2003;Pereira et al 2006). The data from the present study indicate further that this sensitivity to Cd toxicity may be associated with inappropriate concentrations of MT and GSH in the kidneys (Table 1).…”

“…For instance, in humans, laboratory rodents as well as in some birds renal injury occurs when the Cd concentration exceeds 100 lg/g wet weight (Elliott et al 1992;Groten et al 1994;Larison et al 2000;Liu et al 1998a;Satarug et al 2003). In contrast, in the free-living mammals such as roe deer, moose, Algerian mice, yellownecked mice and bank voles from an industrialized area, the renal injury occurs at the Cd level lower than 20 lg/g wet weight (Beiglbock et al 2002;Sawicka-Kapusta 2003, 2004;Leffler and Nyholm 1996;Pereira et al 2006). These reports suggest differences in Cd thresholds that cause renal injury among mammals and birds.…”

Heavy Metals in Brown Bears from the Central European Carpathians

“…Lower concentration was determined in the liver and spleen. Cadmium accumulation in the kidney and liver has been reported also in other mammals Muir et al 1999;Kottferová and Koréneková 2000;Beiglbock et al 2002;Ga‰parik et al 2004;Kramarová et al 2005). 1988 and 1990 (Îilinãar et al 1992).…”

Entry of Heavy Metals into Food Chains: a 20-year Comparison Study in Northern Moravia (Czech Republic)

“…cadmium, mercury and lead). When released to ecosystems, these metals accumulate in food chains and their toxic effects disrupt the existing biological balance (Beiglbock et al 2002;massanyi et al 2000ab, 2005miadoková et al 2000). metals are introduced to ecosystems via natural routes and by anthropogenic processes.…”