Ultrastructural changes of ovaries in rabbits following cadmium administration

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(-2) 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.