Effects of cadmium exposure on the ultrastructure of hepatopancreatic cells of Thais haemastoma (gastropoda, prosobranchia)

Abstract Specific histopathological parameters have been proposed as good indicators of heavy-metal pollution. Hence the study of ultrastructural alterations in target organs from sentinel animals after heavy-metal exposure may provide a useful tool in understanding the cellular role in heavy-metal metabolism. The main purpose of this study was the determination of the ultrastructural changes in the different hepatopancreatic-cell types of Thais haemastoma after experimental exposure to cadmium. Specimens of this species from the Gulf of Valencia were exposed to sublethal doses of cadmium during a period of 96 h. The hepatopancreas was excised and prepared in a routine manner for electron m…