Chronic lead administration in neonatal rats: electron microscopy of the retina

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00005072-198403000-00007· OSTI ID:5928936

Santos-Anderson, R M; Tso, M O.M.; Valdes, J J; Annau, Z

The morphologic effects on the retina resulting from chronic lead exposure were assessed in neonatal rats. Newborn rats nursed from dams were given a low (0.115%) or a high (4.5%) concentration of lead in their diet. At day 21 the pups were weaned to the mother's diet. The retinas of the pups were studied by electron microscopy at various ages up to day 60. High and low lead concentrations produced necrosis of photoreceptor cells and cells of the inner nuclear layer. The high lead concentration, in addition, was associated with swelling of endothelial cells of the retinal vessels and narrowing of the lumen. Increased permeability of the retinal vessels and pigment epithelium to horseradish peroxidase was also observed under the high-dose condition. The authors conclude that lead can produce direct neuronal damage and, at high doses, produces retinal vascular lesions and alteration of the blood-retinal barrier.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Illinois, Chicago
• OSTI ID: 5928936
• Journal Information: J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol.; (United States) Vol. 43:2; ISSN JNENA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ENDOTHELIUM
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
EYES
FACE
HEAD
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
LEAD
MAMMALS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NEONATES
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
PERMEABILITY
PEROXIDASES
PORPHYRINS
RATS
RETINA
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES