The effects of parenteral injection of aluminum, indium, gadolinium, or terbium in rats have been previously studied in several organs such as the liver, the kidneys, etc., but never in mammary glands. In this work, we have attempted to study the subcellular localization of these elements after their intraperitoneal administration. Their subsequent effects in the lactating mammary gland cells have also been studied. Our results using conventional transmission electron microscopy have shown that the lysosomes of the mammary glandular epithelial cells are the intracellular site of accumulation of the studied elements. Our results have also show intracellular deteriorations such as an expanded ergastoplasm and altered mitochondria after intraperitoneal injection of aluminum and indium.
2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.