[The effect of lead exposure on pathohistological changes in the liver and kidney in relation to age in rats]

Histopathological alterations in the liver and kidneys were examined in adult female rats and in their offspring form two matings after oral exposure to 7500 ppm lead (acetate) in drinking water. The length of exposure was up to 20 weeks. To estimate the reversibility of the effects in a number of exposed females lead administration was discontinued five weeks before their second breeding with unexposed males (the recovered group). In the group of exposed adult females histopathological changes in parenchymal organs were analogous to those seen in their pups from the first (shorter exposure), and second offspring (longer exposure to lead). Fatty and/or hydropic degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys and haemosiderosis of the liver were observed in both adult females and their young. In the liver of exposed pups the presence of numerous large foci of extramedullary erythropoiesis was also detected. In the kidneys of exposed adult females non-specific chronic inflammatory changes were seen. In the group of recovered females, after discontinuation of oral exposure to lead, histopathological findings indicated the reversibility of morphological changes. In their "recovered" pups the findings were also almost normal. It may be concluded that young rats are more susceptible to adverse action of lead than their mothers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)