An electron microscopic study of alterations in mouse peripheral nerve and skeletal muscle after chlordecone exposure

Skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve of mice exposed to subacute doses of chlordecone were examined by electron microscopy to characterize the induced pathology. Adult mice were given daily ip doses of chlordecone for 8 days, then sacrificed on days 8, 15, and 35 of the experiment. Sciatic nerve and gluteal muscle were removed and prepared for electron microscopic examination. In peripheral nerve the most common effect was vesiculation of the cytoplasm of Schwann cells associated with unmyelinated fibers. Some unmyelinated axons were swollen and their microtubules and neurofilaments were replaced by flocculent material. In other unmyelinated axons some mitochondria contained paracrystalline inclusions. Myelinated axons, myelin, and associated Schwann cells were generally unaffected by the chlordecone. In skeletal muscle, during more acute phases of exposure, mitochondrial envelopes increased in density, cristae structure was altered, and membranous whorls were formed in or adjacent to the mitochondria. Glycogen and lipid deposits were decreased in acute phases. During the recovery phase glycogen, lipids and mitochondria reassumed normal structure.