Renal damage induced by uranyl nitrate and oestradiol-17ß in Japanese quail and Wistar rats

Morphological alterations occurred in the kidneys of Japanese quail and Wistar rats 18 h after giving uranyl nitrate solution i.v. Dosages of 50 μmol U/kg body weight produced more extensive and more severe damage than did 0.15 μmol U/kg. Degeneration and necrosis of tubular epithelium was prominent in the proximal tubules in rats and in the distal tubules in quail. Less extensive damage occurred in glomeruli and collecting ducts. Protein deposits were seen in the kidneys of both rats and quail. Calcification of degenerating epithelial cells, calcified casts in the tubules, and damage to collecting ducts were seen in quail but not in rats. Oestradiol-17ß (160 μmol/kg body weight, i.m.) induced renal lesions in quail but not in rats. Quail and rat renal lesions induced by the combination of oestradiol plus uranium were more severe than lesions induced by either toxicant singly.