Histological and ultrastructural changes in rat kidney following cadmium injection.

Cadmium injection in rats affects the genito-urinary system. The renal effects are generally considered to be mainly tubular. Light microscopy of 29 specimens confirms cellular damage in the glomeruli with changes in glomerular capillaries. Electron microscopic changes in the glomerulari confirm changes in the podocytes, thickening of the basement lamina, the occurrence of electron dense deposits in association with the capillary endothelium with platelet and polymorphonuclear cell accumulations which suggests opening of the endothelial junction of the glomerular vessels.