The ultrastructure of the testis in rats after long-term treatment with lead acetate.
Studies were performed to investigate the influence of long-term lead acetate treatment on morphology of rat testis. No marked changes were observed by means of light microscopy. At all stages (I-XIV) of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, all generations and layers of spermatogenic cells were present. Electron-microscopic studies did not reveal any ultrastructural changes neither in seminiferous epithelium nor in Sertoli cells. In Leydig cells also, no ultra-structural abnormalities were visible. Macrophages of testicular interstitial tissue contained electron-dense inclusions, usually located inside phagolisosome-like vacuoles. X-ray micro-analysis revealed that the inclusions contained lead.
Wenda-Rózewicka
L
L
Department of Histology and Embryology, Pomeranian Medical Academy, Szczecin, Poland.
Marchlewicz
M
M
Barcew-Wiszniewska
B
B
Piasecka
M
M
D000818:Animals; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D007854:Lead; C008261:lead acetate