Cadmium-induced toxicity in Meretrix meretrix ovary is characterized by oxidative damage with changes in cell morphology and apoptosis-related factors

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most common pollutants in environment. It can cause irreversible tissue damage and apoptosis invertebrates. This study investigated relationship between Cd exposure oxidative ovarian cell clam Meretrix meretrix . The clams were exposed to different concentrations 2+ (0, 1.5, 3, 6 12 mg L −1 ) for 5 days, accumulated level tissue, degree damage, changes morphology response apoptosis-related factors determined. bioaccumulation levels reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonylation (PCO), DNA-protein crosslinking (DPC) ovary found increase significantly when increasing structure was severely damaged, cells displayed an irregular arrangement. results AO/EB staining flow cytometry showed that apoptotic rate increased with concentrations. activities caspase-3, -8, -9, mRNA p53 , Bax Caspase-3 also increased. Furthermore, positively correlated MDA, PCO, DPC ROS, but negatively total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) Bcl-2 mRNA. Taken together, these indicated would result cells, suggesting toxicity could affect reproductive M. thus threatening development shellfish.