Ultrastructural modifications in the mitochondrion of mouse Sertoli cells after inhalation of lead, cadmium or lead-cadmium mixture.

CD-1 mice inhaled 0.01 M lead acetate, 0.006 M cadmium chloride or Pb-Cd mixture during 1h twice a week during 4 weeks. Testes were processed for transmission electron microscopic analysis. The percentage of damaged mitochondria was related to exposure time and the type of metal inhaled, noticing more damage when the mixture was administered. A dose-time relationship was found. Cadmium chloride caused the most severe mitochondrial alteration compared to lead acetate, whereas the mixture was more aggressive compared with each metal alone. Our results suggest that the changes in Sertoli cell could lead to a transformation process that may interfere with spermatogenesis.