Tratogenical effects of cadmium on mitochondria and nucleus of Purkinje cells in cerebellum of rat embryos by Transmission Electron Microscope

The results of various reports show that cadmium, as a teratogenic agent, affects the development and evolution of mammals because it has several toxic impacts. On the other hand, regarding the increase in cadmium use in industrial communities and its presence in non-industrial sources –such as foods, water, beverages, cigarette- and also considering the reports presenting teratogenic impacts of the element on the development of the brain and high sensitivity of neurons and mitochondria to teratogenic elements, this study was carried out to evaluate cadmium impacts on the most sensitive nerve cell organelles (i.e mitochondria and nucleus). Forty adult female Wistar rats were used in this experimental study. The animals were randomly assigned to four groups: control І, control ІІ, experiment І and experiment ІІ. The experimental groups І and ІІ received 2mg/kg/BW of cadmium chloride solution intraperitoneally (ip) both on the 7th day and 16th day of pregnancy. Whereas, the control group І and ІІ were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline on the same days. After delivery, on the fourth day (postna/tal PN4) rats of the four different groups were perfused intracardially with 1% fixative glutaraldehyde solution. After appropriate procedures, the histological samples were observed through transmission electron microscopy and the cellular and subcellular characteristics of Purkinje nerve cells were evaluated. Qualitative microscopic assessment of the specimens showed considerable changes such as Purkinje cells death, heterochromatin nuclei, unclear nucleolus, deterioration of mitochondrial membrane and cristae, formation of numerous abnormal vacuoles in mitochondria and separated particles of cytoplasm with cellular components in the experimental groups. The present study clearly identified that cadmium exposure can induce degenerative changes in organelles especially mitochondria and nuclei of Purkinje cells in cerebellum of rat embryos.