Ultrastructure of kidney of ducks exposed to methylmercury, lead and cadmium in combination

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Environ. Pathol., Toxicol. Oncol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6252010

Rao, P V; Jordan, S A; Bhatnagar, M K

Ultrastructural alterations in the kidneys of Pekin ducks exposed to various combinations of methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl), lead acetate (PbAC) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) for 12 weeks were studied. Eight groups (Gr), each consisting of 6 female ducks, were fed diets containing no heavy metals (control), 8 mg of methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl)/kg of feed (GrII), 80 mg of lead acetate (PbAC)/kg of feed (GrIII), 80 mg of cadmium chloride (CdCl2)/kg of feed (GrIV), 8 mg of MeHgCl + 80 mg of PbAC/kg of feed (GrV), 8 mg of MeHgCl + 80 mg of CdCl2/kg of feed (GrVI), 80 mg of PbAC + 80 mg of CdCl2/kg of feed (GrVII), and 8 mg of MeHgCl + 80 mg of PbAC + 80 mg of CdCl2/kg of feed (GrVIII). Renal corpuscles of the ducks treated with methylmercury (MdHg), lead (Pb), the cadmium (Cd), either alone or in two way combinations exhibited minor ultrastructural changes. The thickness of the glomerular basement membrane was significantly different from control only in Grs II, IV, V and VI. Crystallization of granules in the juxtaglomerular cells was also observed in Cd and Pb treated birds. Administration of the three metals in combination caused marked changes in podocytes with fusion of secondary processes and no pedicle differentiation. The proximal tubule cells approximately (PT) accumulated lipid droplets, lysosomal bodies and membrane bound vacuoles in methylmercury treated birds. Lead exposed birds had a large number of secondary lysosomes and swollen mitochondria in PT cells. Cadmium administration caused degenerative changes in PT cells which included accumulation of lysosomal bodies containing degenerating organelles, lipid droplets and vacuoles containing myelin figures. Marked degenerative changes in PT cells and interstitial fibrosis was prominent when cadmium was concomitantly administered with the other metals.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Ibadan (Nigeria)
• OSTI ID: 6252010
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Pathol., Toxicol. Oncol.; (United States), Vol. 9:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CADMIUM
TOXICITY
KIDNEYS
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
LEAD
METHYLMERCURY
CELL MEMBRANES
DUCKS
SYNERGISM
WATER POLLUTION
ANIMALS
BIRDS
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
ELEMENTS
FOWL
MEMBRANES
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology