Female reproductive toxicology of cadmium

Abstract

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.

Role of metallothionein in cadmium traffic and toxicity in kidneys and other mammalian organs

“…Rather, Cd effects in mice were largely strain-dependent due to genetically determined expression of the Cd transporter ZIP-8, and not due to the MT phenotype (Taylor et al 1973;Liu et al 2001;Dalton et al 2005). In the female reproductive tract, however, Cd treatment in rats resulted in estrogen-like, proliferative effects (Johnson et al 2003), whereas in rabbits and mice, it caused degenerative changes in various parts of the reproductive tract and reduced pregnancy rate (Dalton et al 1996a;Massany et al 2007). The impaired reproduction was present also in Cd-treated TG, MT-1-overexpressing female mice (Dalton et al 1996a).…”

Gestational Cadmium Exposure-Induced Ovotoxicity Delays Puberty through Oxidative Stress and Impaired Steroid Hormone Levels

“…In addition, the industrial emission particularly from metal refining industries [2] has resulted in increased accumulation of Cd in the environment. Cd commonly exists in +2 state and has a long biological half-life of 15-30 years [3], mainly due to its low rate of excretion from the body, and accumulates in blood, kidney, and liver as well as in the reproductive organs [4][5][6]. Hence, it has elicited diverse toxic effects and caused nephrotoxicity, carcinogenity, teratogenicity, endo-crine, and immune toxicities [6][7][8].…”

Effects of Metallic Elements on Reproduction and Development

“…Gestational exposure to Cd affects female reproductive health as a result of changes in ovarian function associated with altered ovarian histoarchitecture, oxidative stress, anemia, and delayed puberty with impaired steroid hormone levels (Thompson and Bannigan, 2008). ROS not only have effects on the male reproductive system but also have effects on the female reproductive system in terms of interfering with the implantation and fertilization of eggs, female infertility, and the unregulated synthesis of female sex hormones (Massányi et al, 2007a).…”