Ultrastructural effects of cadmium on the rat epididymis

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Abstract
The short-term effect of a s.c. injection of 3 .mu.mol of CdCl2/100 g body wt were examined 90 min later in male rats. The main target of Cd, as shown by EM, was the endothelial lining of capillaries of the caput epididymidis. Intercellular junctions between endothelial cells were disorganized, ranging from slight separation between cytoplasmic leaflets to wide gaps which communicated freely with the pericapillary tissue. Disruption of platelets and intravascular clotting followed these early endothelial lesions, and clotting was found in venules as an extension of clotting from the capillaries. Pre-treatment with Zn (300 .mu.mol ZnCl2/100 g body wt) prevented all of the lesions described above.