Effects of cadmium exposure on glycogen phosphorylase activity in rat placenta as demonstrated by histochemical means.
Glycogen phosphorylase (PHO) activity was demonstrated histochemically in unfixed cryostat sections of placentae from cadmium-treated and control rats with the use of the semipermeable membrane technique. Staining of the newly synthesized glycogen was performed by lugol. A high activity was present in glycogen cells, spongiotrophoblast and visceral yolk sac from cadmium-treated and control animals. A low but distinct activity could be demonstrated in placental labyrinth from control rats in late pregnancy. Cadmium-exposed rats showed a considerably higher activity in the labyrinth during this period of pregnancy. The elevated PHO activity and concomitant higher glycogen content indicate a disturbance by exposure to cadmium of placental carbohydrate metabolism from day 18 onwards.
Hazelhoff Roelfzema
W
W
Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Hacker
H J
HJ
Van Noorden
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D006005:Phosphorylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D002104:Cadmium; D006005:Phosphorylases