ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
A light and electron microscopic study of the early changes which occur in cadmium necrosis of the testis of the mouse was made in an effort to identify the site of action of cadmium. Mice were given a single, intraperitoneal injection of 1% CdCl2 at a dosage of 0.1 ml/10 g body weight and then the testes were fixed for light and electron microscopy at various hourly intervals. The earliest changes which were appreciated by light microscopy consisted of an edema of the intertubular spaces, congestion of blood vessels, and an increased amount of granular precipitate in the connective tissue spaces. By electron microscopy the earlies changes were observed in the endothelium of the testicular vascular bed and consisted of a striking and rapid increase in the prevalence of pinocytotic vesticles suggesting an increased interchanges of fluid between the blood and extravascular spaces. All of these changes preceded any appreciable alteration in the cells of the seminal epithelium. The fact that the earliest alterations are observed in blood vessels suggests that the site of action of cadmium in the production of testicular necrosis is upon the endothelium of the vascular bed.A comparative series of animals (frog, pigeon, rooster, armadillo, opossum) was also investigated as to their susceptibility to the toxic effects of cadmium. the results from these species, and other species reported by previous investigators, suggest the generality that cadmium necrosis is a phenomenon common to species possessing scrotal testes and absent from those possessing abdominal testes. The opossum is an exception to this generality. These findings are discussed in relation to the blood supply of the testis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091490104
