Effect of cadmium chloride on the ovulation and structure of ovary in the inbred KP and CBA mice strains.

A single dose of cadmium chloride (2.2 mumol/100 g of body weight) brought about in the sensitive KP strain alterations of the ovarian structure and disturbances in the ovarian cycle manifested by a prolongation of diestrus. Following cadmium administration and increase in the amount of atretic follicles, especially those showing stages 1I and 2II of degeneration, was observed in the ovaries of KP mice. The corpora lutea contained numerous degenerated cells and were infiltrated by abundant connective tissue cells. The used dose of cadmium chloride showed no influences upon progesterone level. The absence of changes in the ovarian morphology and in the duration of the oestrus cycle in CBA females suggest that this strain is resistant to cadmium chloride.