Effect of cadmium on histopathological injuries and ultra-structural changes of kidney of the turtle Mauremys reevesii.

ABSTRACT

This research investigated the effect of cadmium on the tissue and cell of kidney of the turtle Mauremys reevesii. Twenty turtles were injected with cadmium at 0, 7.5, 15, 30 mg/kg separately and five turtles were taken in each group at two weeks after exposure. Kidneys were immediately excised and macroscopic pathological changes were observed, then the kidneys were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for histopathological examination and fixed in 2.5% (v/v) glutaraldehyde for examination of ultra-structure. The tissues of kidney presented varying degrees of histopathological lesions in cadmium treated turtles by a dose-dependent manner under the light microscope. Under transmission electron microscope, renal tubules cells presented varying degrees of dose-dependent lesions. The results indicated that cadmium can cause cell damages to the kidney, in particular to the mitochondria. Mitochondria can be used as one biomarker in the monitoring of cadmium pollution and its quantitative risk assessments.