An Electron Microscopic Study of the Effects of Cadmium Chloride on Cryptorchid Testes of the Rat

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Abstract
A histological and ultrastructural study of the effects of s.c. injected CdCl2 on the vasculature of the cryptorchid and scrotal testis of the rat was performed. Edema associated with Cd injury was visible at 3 h and the damage progressed in both cryptorchid and scrotal testes after 5 h and 24 h. The primary ultrastructural effects consisted of changes in the endothelial cell junctions of intratesticular capillaries which progressed from a decrease in membrane-associated electron density at 3 h to actual separation of endothelial cells 6 h after Cd injection. These changes were more pronounced at each time period in the cryptorchid than in the scrotal testis. Obvious changes in pinocytotic activity of endothelial and perivascular cells were not seen after CdCl2 injection in either group of animals.