Histopathological localization of cadmium in rat placenta by LA-ICP-MS analysis

In order to clarify the histological localization of cadmium (Cd) in the placenta, we analyzed paraffin sections of placentas from rats with a single Cd exposure on gestation day 18 by the LA-ICP-MS imaging method compared with the histopathological changes. The placentas were sampled at 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after treatment. Histopathologically, the trophoblasts in the labyrinth zone of the Cd group showed swelling at 1 hour. At 2 and 3 hours, the trophoblasts showed swelling and vacuolar degeneration. At 6 and 24 hours, the syncytiotrophoblasts selectively underwent necrosis/apoptosis, resulting in a decrease in number. Remarkable metallothionein expression was observed in the trophoblastic septa, particularly cytotrophoblasts at 24 hours. The LA-ICP-MS analysis detected the localization of Cd in the fetal part of the placenta from 1 hour onwards. In particular, the intensity of Cd was prominent in the labyrinth zone and tended to increase with the progression of trophoblastic septa damages. The LA-ICP-MS analysis using the paraffin sections detected the localization of Cd in the fetal part of the placenta, and this methodology will be one of the valuable tools to detect heavy metals in toxicological pathology.