Ultrastructural localization of silver in rat testis and organ distribution of radioactive silver in the rat.

The deposition of silver after a single intravenous injection (2 micrograms Ag g-1 body weight) was studied in the testes of Wistar rats 24 h and 1 and 2 weeks after dosing with radiolabelled 110AgNo3 (2 micrograms Ag and 1.2 kBq g-1 body weight). Also, the temporal accumulation of silver during the experimental period was monitored in the blood, testes, epididymides, kidney, liver and brain. The subcellular distribution of silver within the testes was demonstrated by using the histochemical technique of autometallography. Silver was cleared rapidly from the blood. After an initial rise, concentrations in organs remained almost stable throughout the experimental period. Silver was especially abundant in interstitial macrophages and in the basement membrane. Deposits of silver were found in all cell types of spermatogenesis and in the lysosomes of the Sertoli cells.