Effect of cadmium acetate, copper sulphate and nickel chloride on organ cultures of mouse trachea.

Tracheas from albino mice were excised and cut into rings approximately 1 mm thick. After preincubation overnight in Medium 199 with 5% calf serum, they were placed into fresh medium. Cadmium acetate, copper sulphate or nickel chloride was added separately or in combination, to a final concentration of 10--200 micron. Each metal was also added (10 micron) to serum-free Medium 199. The percentage (0--100) of the inner intact epithelium and the rate (0--4) of the ciliary beat in each ring were assessed before and during a 4-hour incubation period and multiplied to yield a relative activity index (0--400). Cadmium acetate at 10--100 micron depressed the ciliary activity significantly more than 10--100 micron copper sulphate (each level P less than 0.05). With 200 micron a 50% reduction of the activity index was observed after approximately 35 min. with cadmium acetate and 85 min. with copper sulphate. At 10--200 micron, cadmium acetate was significantly more suppressive than nickel chloride (each level P less than 0.05). When comparing the inhibitory effects of copper sulphate and nickel chloride a significant difference appeared at 10--100 micron (each level P less than 0.01), but not at 200 microm (P less than 0.05). With 200 micron nickel chloride a 50% reduction in the activity index was observed after 90 min. There was a tendency towards reduced toxicity of cadmium acetate when combined with copper sulphate and of copper sulphate when combined with nickel chloride. In serum-free medium metal toxicity was increased.