[Morphological changes of ovaries, oviduct and uterus after cadmium application in rabbits]

The effects of cadmium on the ovaries, oviduct and uterus of rabbits were studied by light microscopy with morphometry. The experiment involved 32 animals in four groups including a control (K). Cadmium was applied inter parenteral (i.p.) to group A (1.5 mg kg** (-1) body weight), p.o. (per oral) to group B (1.0 mg kg** (-1) body weight) for a 5 month period, and p.o. to Group C (same rate as Group B) for 5 months followed by a 7 month cessation of application for group C. All experimental groups were compared to a control group as well as to other experimental groups. Animals were examined after the experimental period. The lowest amount of primary follicles was found after i.p. administration of cadmium. Significantly lower amounts of follicles with less than 2 layers of granulosa cells were in group A and C, in comparison with group B, and the amount of follicles with more than 2 layers of granulosa cells was significantly lower in group C than group B. The same results were observed in antral follicles. The number of atretic follicles was significantly higher in all groups with administration of cadmium (P lower than 0.05). The diameter of the follicles was significantly lower in the primary follicles of group C than in the control group. Percentual content of growing follicles was significantly higher and of stroma significantly lower (P lower than 0.001) in the control group in comparison with all experimental groups receiving an administration of cadmium. In the study of epithelium, stroma and muscular coat in the oviduct, the amount of epithelium ranged from 19.67 to 25.50 percent, with no significant differences. Significantly higher amount of stroma was in group A, in comparison with group K, B and C. In muscular coat no significant differences were determined. In the uterus, the amount of endometrium ranged from 48.42 percent to 50.37 percent and of myometrium from 51.58 percent to 49.63 percent. The percentage of glandular epithelium in the endometrium was significantly lower in group A in comparison with group C (P lower than 0.05). Amount of stroma was significanly higher in the group with i.p. administration in comparison with the group with p.o. application for 5 months (P lower 0.01)