Electron microscopical localization of the lead in peripheral blood neutrophils of the rat with timm sulphide silver method and X-ray probe microanalysis.

The distribution of lead ions in rat peripheral neutrophils was investigated using Timm sulphide silver method. In the neutrophils of adult male rats the Pb-precipitates were electron microscopically localized at 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 hours after a single intraperitoneal injection of lead at dose 150 mgPb kg b. w. After increased lead ions input to cell matrix a formation of cytoplasmic metal deposits as well as an aggregation of Pb-complexes within deep invaginations of nuclear membrane was detectable. Furthermore, the neutrophils were prepared to examination by scanning electron microscope according to Domagała et al. (1979). In neither case there was a clear difference of neutrophil surface morphology between exposed and control populations. The same preparations were then used to X-ray probe microanalysis, and correlation between the presence of Timm reaction product and lead indication was obtained.