The aim of this study was to determine effects of Cd on the structure of ovary, oviduct and uterus after an experimental administration. Animals were divided into three groups. In group A rabbits received cadmium i.p. and were killed after 48 h. In group C Cd was administered p.o. for 5 month. The group K was the control. Decreased relative volume of growing follicles and increased stroma after Cd administration were detected. The number of atretic follicles was significantly higher after administration of Cd. The most frequent ultrastructural alterations observed were undulation of external nuclear membrane, dilatation of perinuclear cistern and endoplasmic reticulum. In all studied types of cells mitochondria with altered structure were found. In the oviduct the highest amount of epithelium in the group with long-term Cd administration was found. Microscopic analysis showed oedematization of the oviduct tissue, caused by disintegration of the capillary wall. An electron microscopic analysis showed dilatation of perinuclear cistern. The intercellular spaces were enlarged and junctions between cells were affected. Mainly after a long-term cadmium administration nuclear chromatin disintegration was present. In the uterus a significant change was determined in the relative volume of glandular epithelium. Increase of stroma was a sign of uterus oedamatization caused by damage in the wall of blood vessels and subsequent diapedesis. After Cd administration alteration in uterus were less expressed, in comparison with ovary and oviduct. Alteration of nuclear chromatin contain following Cd administration suggests degenerative functional changes.

Cadmium is an environmental risk factor having various toxic effects both in animals and in humans. The aim of this study was to determine effects of cadmium on the ultrastructure of various ovarian cells in rabbits after an experimental administration. The structure of ovarian cells (granulosa, thecal, stromal, endothelial cells) was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Animals (n = 24) were divided into 3 groups (K, A, C). In group A (n = 8) rabbits received cadmium i.p. (1.5 mg(.)kg(-1) body weight) and subsequently were killed 48 h after administration of cadmium. In group C (n = 8) cadmium was administered at a dose of 1.0 mg(.)kg(-2) b.m. for 5 month in pelleted food. The last group (K) was the control, receiving no cadmium.Qualitative analysis of granulosa cells showed undulation of nuclear membrane, dilatation of perinuclear cistern and endoplasmic reticulum. In theca cells dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum was the most characteristic alteration. Also dilatation of perinuclear cistern was evident. In stromal ovarian cells very intensive dilatation of perinuclear cistern and structures with smooth membranes were detected. In endothelial cells dilated mitochondria with altered inner structure, mainly missing cristae were found.Quantitative analysis of granulosa cells found significant (p < 0.05) decrease of relative volume of mitochondria in group C in comparison with group A. In ovarian thecal cells a significant (p < 0.001) increase of the relative volume of endoplasmic reticulum in group A in comparison with control group was detected. In ovarian stromal cells a significant increase of the relative volume of smooth membranes in comparison with control animals was found. In endothelial cells we have observed significantly higher amount of mitochondria and cytoplasm in group A in comparison with control group.These results describe the fine structural alterations of ovarian cells after administration of cadmium. The negative effect of this common environmental toxicant was detected in all studied cell types and we conclude that it is cell-dependent.

The influence of polluted environment on microscopic and submicroscopic structure of the liver in cows was studied. Experimental animals came from two areas of East Slovakia: Strednogemerska and Kosicka. Samples of the liver were taken from adult (range 6-8 years) cows, then were prepared for light and electron microscopy by standard methods. We analysed their morphological structures and gave them morphometric values. All the results were processed statistically. Some differences between results from experimental animals in morphological and stereological analyses were found. A significant increase in a relative volume of capillaries in quantitative microscopic analysis was noted. On the other hand, a significant decrease in the relative volume of mitochondria and significant increase in the relative volume of rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed.

The morphometric analysis of the microscopic structure of the testes and epididymis in the rodent species Apodemus sylvaticus and Apodemus flavicollis is reported. In A. sylvaticus the epithelium forms 76.9%, interstitium 8.3% and lumen 14.8% of the seminiferous tubules. The tubular diameter is 142.5 mum. In the epididymis the relative volume of the epithelium represents 54.3%, stroma 13.2% and lumen 32.6%. The diameter of the epididymal duct is 125.9 mum and the epithelium height is 19.1 mum. A similar structure is reported in A. flavicollis, where the epithelium forms 67.6%, interstitium 7.8% and lumen 24.7% of the testicular seminiferous tubule. The tubular diameter is 140.2 mum. In the epididymis, the height of the epithelium is 19.1 mum and it forms 46.3%. Relative volume of stroma is 14.8% and lumen 38.9%. The epididymal tubular diameter is 151.8 mum.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of cadmium on the testis and epididymis of rabbits using light microscopy and morphometry methods. The first part of the study (group A) was carried Out on clinically healthy 6-month-old rabbits (n = 10) which were injected (i.p.) with cadmium chloride at a single dose of 2.25 mg/kg body weight and killed 48 hours after cadmium application. In the second part of our research, the 10 young, 6-week-old rabbits (group B) were orally dosed with 1.0 mg Cd/kg body weight for a 5-month period of daily application and then killed. All experimental groups were compared to a control group (K) of 10 male rabbits without cadmium treatment. The samples of the testes and epididymes were processed by routine histological methods and evaluated using light microscopy and quantitative morphometry methods. Forty-eight hours after cadmium treatment, testes of rabbits receiving a dose 2.25 mg/kg body weight exhibited a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in germinal epithelium volume to 67.11 +/- 0.66% and a significant increase in stroma volume (p < 0.0001) to 29.98 +/- 0.72% in comparison with control (77.75 +/- 3.91% and 12.27 +/- 1.50%, respectively) by morphometrical methods. The seminiferous epithelium showed the signs of various injury, with alterations in the basal membrane. In the testes of 1.0 mg/kg body weight Cd-treated rabbits after 5 months, significant increase in stroma volume (p < 0.05) to 16.11 +/- 3.16% have been demonstrated. In the epididymis a significant decrease in epithelium relative volume was found in group A (p < 0.01) as well as in group B (p < 0.0001) (23.83 +/- 1.84% and 14.21 +/- 2.57%, respectively) in comparison with control group (30.30 +/- 3.35%). The significant decrease in lumen, relative volume to 43.18 +/- 1.51% (p < 0.001) and increase in the interstitial tissue volume to 32.99 +/- 2.37% (p < 0.0001) was found in group A in comparison with control (52.17 +/- 1.51% and 17.53 +/- 3.89%, respectively).

Cadmium is an environmental risk factor having various toxic effects both in animals and in humans. The aim of this study was to study its effects on the structure and function of porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured in vitro.Ultrastructure of granulosa cells was studied after 48 h of culture with (0.2, 10 and 20 ng CdCl2/ml) of without cadmium using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Quantification of progesterone and 17-beta-oestradiol was performed directly from aliquots of the media from control and treated cells by radioimmunoassay (RIA).After cadmium administration cell membranes were disintegrated. It was manifested by occurrence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm. The vacuoles contained fibrillar or membranous material. The Golgi complex rarely remained intact. Increased number of lysosomes was detected. With increasing cadmium concentrations the number of lipid droplets increased. In some cells the changes were less evident and dense mitochondria with distinct membranes were found. In other cell types the amount of mitochondrial matrix increased and that of membranes decreased. Some mitochondria fused with lysosomes. The endoplasmic reticulum rarely remained intact, and its dilation was well visible on transverse sections. Nuclei with distinct heterochromatin at the nuclear membrane were often observed. In these nuclei perinuclear cistern was dilated. Less frequently nuclei with condensed chromatin reminiscent of pyknosis were observed. Some nuclei had dispersed fine granular chromatin. In other cells changes were less evident, and comprised condensed chromatin in the central part of nuclei. These structural changes of granulosa cells exposed to cadmium were related to premature luteinization of these cells. In the evaluation of steroidogenesis we found that cadmium induced an increase in progesterone production, and a decrease in 17-beta-oestradiol production by ovarian granulosa cells; however, these differences were not significant. The results of our study elucidate some of the effects of cadmium on gonadal function, and should also serve to increase the level of awareness of its effects on human and animal health.

The effects of cadmium on the oviduct of 32 rabbits were studied by light microscopy with morphometry. Cadmium was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to group A in a single dose of 1.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), per oss (p.o.) to group B in daily doses of 1.0 mg/kg BW for a 5-month period, and also p.o., 1.0 mg/kg BW; for a 5-month period daily followed by a 7-month interval in group C. All experimental groups were compared to the control group (K), as well as to other experimental groups. Animals were examined directly after the experimental period.The amount of epithelium in the oviduct ranged from 19.67 to 25.50%, with no significant differences. Significantly higher amounts of stroma were found in group A in comparison with group C. In the stroma, dilatation of blood vessels was evident with subsequent oedematization and diapedesis. No significant differences were found in the muscular layer.

Heifers (n = 9) of the Black-Pied Holstein-Friesian breed were slaughtered on the 3rd, Gth and 9th day of the synchronized cycle, respectively (heat = day 0). Tissue samples from the ampullar part of the oviduct were collected immediately after slaughter and treated for histoautoradiographic (ARG) analyses. They were cultured for 20 min on air in 0.25 ml medium Dulbecco PBS at 38 degrees C enriched with 100 mu Ci/ml of [5-H-3] uridine (specific activity 740 GBq/mM, UVVVR Prague) for detection of the RNA synthesis. For the ARG detection of glycoprotein synthesis the samples of oviductal tissue were cultured for 60 or 240 min on air, respectively, in 0.25 mi medium Dulbecco PBS at 38 degrees C to which 100 mu Ci/ml of L-[6-H-3] fucose (specific activity 0.55-1.1 TBq/mM, Amersham Int., Great Britain) was added. After incubation, the samples were fixed, dehydrated and embedded in Epon 812. Semithin (1 mu m) or ultrathin sections were coated with nuclear liquid emulsion K.5 or L.4, respectively. After one-month exposure they were developed using D 19 developer and after staining or contrasting they were observed using either light-microscopy or electron microscopy (using an electron microscope JEM 100 CX at 80 kV). Investigated autoradiograms revealed an intensive synthesis of RNA in both cilliated as well as in secretory cells of the oviduct epithelium. The intensity of RNA synthesis remains comparable during the early luteal phase from the 3rd to the 9th day of the cycle. The glycoproteins, synthesized first in the Golgi apparatus in the supranuclear region were seen to move to the apical region of the epithelial cells later on. The most intensive autoradiographic reaction of newly synthesized glycoproteins was detected on the 3rd day of the cycle without an evident change on the 6th day but decreasing on the 9th day.

Cadmium accumulation in ovaries and uterus after i.p. and p.o. administration are reported. Time and dose dependent increase in cadmium concentration was found. More than 10 times higher accumulation is after i.p, administration in comparison with p.o. administration in ovaries as well as in uterus.There is very high correlation relationship among growing follicles and stroma in general as well as in all groups. So, we can report that with the increasing number of growing follicles there is lower amount of stroma. Generally we have found mean correlation relationship among cadmium content in ovaries and the percentual amount of growing follicles and stroma. We can sal that with higher cadmium content in ovaries there is lower amount of primary follicles and stroma, but more growing follicles. On the other hand our previous study have described higher incidence of follicular atresia which affect mainly growing follicles. In evaluation of numer of ovarian follicles to cadmium content we report that generally there is mean correlation relationship among cadmium content and follicles with less than 2- layers of granulosa cells. This study also reports correlation relationship between cadmium content in ovary and diameter of follicles. Generally we can conclude, that the correlation relationship is very low and cadmium do not affect the diameter of follicles.Correlation analysis shows that there is mean relationship between cadmium content in uterus and stroma in endometrium. With higher cadmium content there is more stroma what is: a sign of oedematiztization.

Distribution of cadmium in the ovaries, uterus, testes, liver, kidneys and muscle of rabbits was studied after an acute and chronic administration of cadmium. In the control (group K) the levels of cadmium ranged from 0.01 mg/kg in the muscle to 0.46 mg/kg in the kidney. After a single intra peritoneal administration (group A) the highest concentration was in the liver 41.3 mg/kg, then in the kidneys, ovaries, uterus, muscle and testes. After daily oral administration, for 5 months (group B), the highest concentration 24 hours after cessation of administration was in the kidneys (54 mg/kg), then in the liver, ovaries, uterus, muscle and testes. After 5 months of application followed by 7 months with normal diet (group C), the levels of cadmium in the organs were reduced by 53% to 72%; only in the uterus did the level of cadmium increase by 32%. Relatively high concentrations of cadmium were found in the ovaries and uterus of group A with respect to groups B and C.

The effect was investigated of the Ralgro preparation with the active substance zeranol on histological and histochemical properties of bull muscles. The anabolic effect was displayed by a trend toward greater thickness of muscle fibres in m. longissimus thoracis, m. semitendinosus and m. triceps brachii, whilst differences between the muscles of experimental and control animals were not statistically significant. The bulls administered zeranol had the higher proportions as well as the higher relative volumes of white (aW) muscle fibres, but neither were these differences statistically significant in comparison with the control. The growth and development of testicles are inhibited by zeranol. The inhibition is significant and persists during 30 days after the last administration. Later on, the rate of development and growth are increased with the testicles reaching the weight of the sexual glands of control animals in 90 days after the last administration; the coiled seminiferous tubules grow and spermiogenesis occurs.

We compared the histochemical activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and the intensity of reaction to the presence of myoglobin (Mb) in the same muscle fibres m. longissimus thoracis (MLT), m. semimembranosus (MSM), m. rectus femoris (MRF) and caput longum m. tricipitis brachii (MTB). At the same time we also ascertained the myoglobin content of one gram of fresh muscle. We found that the muscle fibre in all the muscles studied in which there is the most intensive reaction in the test for SDH are also the most intensively coloured in the test for Mb. There is also the same relationship in intermediary and white fibres. The reaction in testing for SDH on a cross section is greatest in the subsarcolemmic area. Similar tendencies appear in the distribution of Mb, although they are less marked and only in fibres with intensive reaction. Different muscles have different myoglobin levels. Muscles with a higher proportion of red and intermediary fibres contain more myoglobin than muscles with a high proportion of white fibres. The quantitative values of the levels of Mb (g/fresh muscle) are not, however, proportional to the share of individual types of muscle fibres in the muscles studied.

The concentration of testosterone in blood plasma during the ontogenetic development of cockerels was studied in relation to the development of spermatogenic part of gonads. On the basis of the results, sexual development of cockerels can be divided into three stages. The first stage (from hatching to the age of eight to nine weeks) was characterized by a slow increase in gonad weight, by low concentration of plasma testosterone (0.4-2.0 nmol/l) and by the occurrence of spermatogonia in testes. In the course of the second stage (from the age of nine to 16 weeks) a rapid increase in the weight of testes and testosterone concentration was observed. At the end of this stage all phases of spermatogenic cycle were observed in gonads; the testosterone levels averaged to 10 nmol/l. In the course of this stage all cockerels reached sexual maturity; large individual differences in spermatogenesis development were observed. The third stage (16 weeks of age and more) was characterized by an intensive spermatogenesis, further increase in gonad weight and by typical variations of the plasma testosterone levels. The concentration of the circulating testosterone increased before the onset of the final stages of the spermatogenic cycle.