Concentrations of cadmium, copper and zinc in tissues of mallard and coot from southern Poland.

The aim of this study was to present the content of cadmium, copper and zinc in tissues of the most common game waterbirds from southern Poland. Concentrations of the three metals were measured in brain, pectoral muscle, heart muscle, liver and kidney of mallard (n = 10) and coot (n = 10) shot in 2003 on fishponds around Zator, Southern Poland. The lowest concentrations were noted in the case of cadmium. Its highest median occurred in kidney (mallard 8.4251 µg/g d.w., coot 5.0704 µg/g d.w.). Average concentrations of this element in muscles oscillated in both species around 0.94 µg/g d.w. In the comparison of cadmium concentrations to the safety norms for consumable meat, almost all samples were non-fit for human consumption. Copper concentrations showed a significant variation between species but their range in different tissues was generally narrow. The highest median was noted among mallards in liver (39.4863 µg/g d.w.) and among coots in pectoral muscle (40.2684 µg/g d.w.). Zinc concentrations did not differ statistically between species only in the case of liver and kidney. Median of this element hit to 98.4883 µg/g d.w. (liver of mallard) and 107.6153 µg/g d.w. (heart muscle of coot). No statistically significant correlations between concentrations of studied metals in different samples were noted. Concentrations of study elements were also evaluated in environmental samples. Water contained trace amounts of researched elements (medians from 0.0401 for Cd to 0.1251 mg/L for Cu). In deposit and forage samples, zinc occurred in the highest concentration (median up to 56.7701 µg/g d.w.).

Lead-induced alterations in rat kidneys and testes in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of lead administration on the kidney and testicular structure of adult rats. Rats received lead (PbNO(3)) in single intraperitoneal dose 50 mg/kg (group A), 25 mg/kg (group B) and 12.5 mg (group C) per kilogram of body weight and were killed 48 h following lead administration. After the preparation of histological samples the results were compared with control. After the lead administration dilated Bowman's capsules and blood vessels in interstitium of kidney with evident hemorrhagic alterations were noted. Quantitative analysis determined increased relative volume of interstitium and tubules. Also, the diameter of renal corpuscules, diameter of glomeruli and diameter of Bowman's capsule were significantly increased, especially in group A, with the highest lead concentration. In testes, dilatation of blood capillaries in interstitium, undulation of basal membrane and occurrence of empty spaces in seminiferous epithelium were detected. An apoptosis assay confirmed increased incidence of apoptosis in the spermatogenetic cells after the lead administration. Also further morphometric analysis showed significant differences in evaluated parameters between control and treated groups. The number of cell nuclei was decreased in lead-treated groups, which is concerned with the occurrence of empty spaces as well as with the higher apoptosis incidence in germinal epithelium. This study reports a negative effect of lead on the structure and function of kidney and testes.

Cobalt-induced alterations in hamster testes in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of cobalt on the testicular structure of adult golden hamsters. Hamsters in group A received cobalt (CoCl2) in single intraperitoneal dose 20 mg/kg, in group B 10 mg/kg and in group C 5 mg CoCl2/kg body weight and were killed fourty eight hours after cobalt administration. Afer a preparation of histological samples the results were compared with control. After a cobalt administration dilatation of blood capillaries in interstitium, undulation of basal membrane and occurrence of empty spaces in seminiferous epithelium was detected. Morphometric analysis showed that in all cobalt-treated groups the relative volume of seminiferous epithelium was significantly decreased. In the relative volume of interstitium a significant increase was found between control group and experimental groups. After cobalt administration we have found linear non-significant decrease. Evaluation of diameter seminiferous tubules found increase of this parameter in the all experimental group in comparison with control. Height of seminiferous epithelium was relatively constant and in all groups but the difference between control and group A was significant (P < 0.05). Analysis of the lumen diameter of seminiferous tubules detected significantly increase mainly group B. Evaluation of the number of cell nuclei per a constant area detected an increase of this parameter in experimental group. Results of this study report a negative effect of cobalt on structure and function of testes.