The worldwide decline in amphibian populations has made heavy metal pollution a subject of interest. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of sublethal doses of cadmium (Cd) on the liver, kidney, and blood of Rhinella arenarum specimens. Serum markers indicative of hepatic injury (gamma glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, pseudo cholinesterase, and total cholesterol) and markers of renal dysfunction (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, calcium, and glucose) showed variation in animals treated with a 0.5 mg/kg dose compared to controls. Histopathological images revealed alterations in the liver (hepatocyte ballooning and hyperplasia of Kupffer cells) and kidney (renal tubular lumen dilation with tubular necrosis) of animals with abnormal serum markers. The above-mentioned lesions were more evident with the 5 mg/kg dose. With the 0.5 mg/kg dose, hematological values remained normal with the exception of the leukocyte formula. Animals treated with 5 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in both white and red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin values. Differential leukocyte counts showed neutrophilia, monocytosis, and lymphopenia. Morphological aberrations were found in white and red blood cells. Results indicated that the evaluation of morphological and functional parameters in kidney, liver, and blood is required in order to monitor amphibian populations exposed to chemical contaminants.
The cadmium (Cd) concentration in the environment has increased as a consequence of anthropogenic activity. The objective of this study was to determine early signs of Cd toxicity in testes and sperm as possible biomarkers. The dose orally administered to Wistar rats was within the range where chronic toxicity can appear. At the light microscopic level, gonads presented preserved cytoarchitecture throughout treatment; however, after the second month, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed disruption of the blood-testis barrier. The study of sperm with light microscopy showed defects in gamete morphology after 2 months of treatment. Another parameter that revealed alteration was sperm motility after 3 months of treatment. TEM was used to analyze the flagellum, which in the midpiece showed aberrant mitochondria and displacement of outer dense fibers in relation to the central axoneme after 2 months. The data obtained were associated with Cd concentration in the testes, an increase in its levels being observed in a time-dependent manner. The results provided in this study demonstrated that early signs of Cd toxicity were observed in gonads and gametes during the second month of the treatment, generating morphological and functional alterations in the sperm that could lead to infertility.
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