[Influence of chronic intoxication with cadmium chloride on the content of some lipids in lens and vitreous body of rabbits].

The experiments were carried out on 21 rabbits, divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 10 control animals, the second one consisted of 11 animals given per os 3 times per week for 3 months 1 ml of water solution of cadmium chloride in the dose of 0.35 mg for 1 kilogram of body weight. After the animals have been killed, the content of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in their vitreous was identified with enzymatic methods, applying appropriate tests. The content of free fatty acids was estimated with the Duncombe method. The obtained results were analyzed statistically, with t-Student test. It was determined statistically that the content of all tested lipids components in the vitreous of rabbits poisoned with cadmium chloride was significantly decreased in comparison with their content in control animals. The greatest decrease was found in the level of free fatty acids and triglycerides, smaller decrease in phospholipids and cholesterol. Significant decrease of the total cholesterol level was found in the rabbits' lens. However no changes were observed in any other lipid components of the lens. The article discusses the significance of the obtained results in relation to ecological problems.