Ultrastructural evaluation of the rat parotid gland in the course of intoxication with lead acetate.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultrastructural changes in the parotid gland of rats exposed to lead. The animals were given lead acetate in drinking water, at a concentration of 50 mg/dm3 Pb for periods of 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The ultrastructural examination showed that lead especially impaired mitochondria, caused accumulation of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of acinar cells and inhibited the process of exocytosis of secretory granules. In the most extreme cases some acinar cells were destroyed.