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1

The long-term effect of cadmium exposure through food on the postnatal development of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus Schreber 1780).

100%

Bialonska D., Zakrzewska M., Sawicka-Kapusta K., Konior M.

Folia Biologica

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2002

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vol. 50

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issue 3-4

203-209

EN

Cadmium is well known for its toxicity to the animal body. However, its effect on pregnancy and the development of young animals is still not well understood. This study examined such effects, using bank voles captured from the wild to make the results closer to those which could be expected in the natural environment. One group of animals was fed 7mug g-1 cadmium in the food, a second 35 mug g-1, and a third no cadmium, as a control. The concentrations of cadmium in the whole bodies of young bank voles were determined on the 3rd, 5th, or 10th day of life. The cadmium level in the bodies of animals exposed to 35 mug g-1 of cadmium was significantly higher than in those from either the control group or the group receiving 7 mug g-1 of cadmium, which did not differ from each other. The cadmium level did not change with animal age in any of the study groups. Concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Fe were also determined in the whole body of young animals, as cadmium is known to disturb the metabolism of these essential metals through antagonistic activity. Both Cu and Fe levels were negatively correlated with cadmium concentrations, while a positive correlation was found between zinc and cadmium in the young animal bodies. Also found was higher offspring mortality in the group receiving 35 mug g-1 of cadmium in food. There was no difference in young animal body weight between the study groups.

2

The effect of heavy metal accumulation on metallothionein content in selected tissues of bank voles and yellow-necked mice caught near the steelworks and zinc smelter.

100%

Damek-Poprawa M.

Folia Biologica

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2002

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vol. 50

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issue 3-4

211-214

EN

The effect of cadmium, zinc, and copper accumulation on metallothionein content in the selected tissues of bank voles and yellow-necked mice trapped near the Sendzimir Steelworks in Krakow and the zinc smelter in Bukowno were analysed. The Borecka Forest was chosen as a control area. The highest cadmium concentration, 32.98 mug g-1 dry weight, was detected in the kidneys of the bank voles caught in the Bukowno area. Zinc and copper concentrations in the tissues did not exceed the critical values. Metallothionein content in the liver and kidneys was associated with heavy metal accumulation in the tissues. The highest content of sulphydryl groups was detected in the livers of the bank voles trapped within the neighbourhood of the zinc smelter in Bukowno. The highest level of disulphide bonds was found in the kidneys of the bank voles from the same area.

3

Hormonal regulation of oestrogen formation by Leydig cells in vitro: immunocytochemical approach

75%

Gancarczyk M., Tworzydlo W., Szlachta A., Sadowska J., Bilinska B.

Folia Biologica

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2003

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vol. 51

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issue 3-4

181-188

EN

The ability of the testis to convert androgens into oestrogens is related to the presence of a microsomal enzyme, aromatase, in testicular cells. The aim of this study was to show whether the supplementation of culture media with LH or an aromatase inhibitor could affect the process of aromatisation in Leydig cells of the bank vole in vitro. This was investigated by means of immunocytochemistry and radioimmunological assays. In control cultures of Leydig cells, both steroid hormones secretion as well as immunoreactivities for aromatase and oestrogen receptor were weaker than in those treated with LH. On the contrary, the addition of aromatase inhibitor into the culture medium resulted in a decreased intensity of immunocytochemical stainings in comparison with the control. Concomitantly, the androgen level was slightly higher, whereas that of oestrogen significantly lower than in the control cultures. Additionally, to check whether steroid hormones are able to regulate aromatase or oestrogen receptor immunoexpressions, some of the Leydig cell cultures were enriched with testosterone or oestradiol, respectively. Strong immunoreactivities for both aromatase and oestrogen receptor were observed. This suggests that Leydig cells in vitro are able to regulate directly the secretion of oestrogens by active aromatase. Finally, it is concluded that oestrogen formation in bank vole Leydig cells in vitro can be influenced by various factors. It should be stressed, however, that the effect of hormone stimulation or aromatase inhibitor action appeared to be dependent on the length of light cycles that bank voles were exposed prior to the isolation of Leydig cells.

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3 Folia Biologica

1 2003

2 2002

1 Bialonska D.

1 Bilinska B.

1 Damek-Poprawa M.

1 Gancarczyk M.

1 Konior M.

1 Sadowska J.

1 Sawicka-Kapusta K.

1 Szlachta A.

1 Tworzydlo W.

1 Zakrzewska M.

The long-term effect of cadmium exposure through food on the postnatal development of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus Schreber 1780).

The effect of heavy metal accumulation on metallothionein content in selected tissues of bank voles and yellow-necked mice caught near the steelworks and zinc smelter.

Hormonal regulation of oestrogen formation by Leydig cells in vitro: immunocytochemical approach