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.
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Hemelraad, J., Herwig, H.J., van Donselaar, E.G. et al. Effects of cadmium in freshwater clams. II. Ultrastructural changes in the renal system ofAnodonta cygnea . Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19, 691–698 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01183986
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01183986