title: Effects of cadmium in freshwater clams. II. Ultrastructural changes in the renal system ofAnodonta cygnea.
abstract: An ultrastructural study was made of the renal system of freshwater clams,Anodonta cygnea, that had been exposed to cadmium chloride (50 μg Cd/L) for 12 weeks. By stereological analysis an extended lysosomal system and a decreased number of mitochondria was apparent in the epithelial cells lining the proximal compartment of the kidney. The increase of the lysosomal system was mainly accountable to the appearance of a distinct type of lysosome, that accumulated in the apical cell region. The decrease of the mitochondrial population was accompanied by a considerable swelling of the individual mitochondria. Finally, a severe reduction of the glycogen stores was noticed. Similar, but less obvious, changes occurred in the distal kidney compartment. The results suggest that long-term exposure ofAnodonta cygnea to cadmium stimulates the lysosomal system and disturbs the function of organelles involved in the energy metabolism of resorptive kidney cells.
authors.affiliation: Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Experimental Zoology, University of Utrecht, PaduaSaan 8, 3584, CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hemelraad
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Herwig
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: van Donselaar
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Holwerda
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Zandee