The effect of a single sublethal administration of cadmium chloride on the microcirculation in the uterus of the rat.

A light microscopical and ultrastructural survey of the early effects of cadmium chloride in the uterus of the prepubertal rat was performed. 3 h after injection of CdCl2 evidence of injury to the microcirculation was ultrastructurally apparent. The phenomena consisted of nuclear and nucleolar changes, extensive pinocytotic activity, vacuolisation of the cytoplasmic matrix, distension of the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in cytoplasmic protrusions in the lumen of the cell. After 6 h the damage had increased and a certain portion of the endothelial cells showed signs of degeneration. At 24 h the changes were maximal and extruded red cells were observed in the interstitial tissue by light microscopy. At 48 h recovery had started and the situation appeared to return to normal.