Cadmium induces histopathological injuries and ultrastructural changes in the liver of freshwater turtle (Chinemys reevesii)

•The study is an accumulative work from the food health or ecotoxicology.•Liver tissues presented various degrees of histopathological lesions.•Nucleus, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum presented lesions.•Cadmium has significant toxicity on liver tissue of the freshwater turtle.

The study investigated the histopathological and ultrastructural lesions of liver of freshwater turtle Chinemys reevesii exposed to Cadmium (Cd). The animals were exposed to 0 mg kg−1 (0.85% normal saline (NS)), 7.5 mg kg−1, 15 mg kg−1, 30 mg kg−1 Cd chloride separately by intraperitoneal injection. Liver samples were collected for examination of lesions under light and electronic microscopes. Results showed that liver tissues from Cd -treated animals presented various degrees of histopathological lesions. Liver cells showed swollen, degeneration and necrosis with dose-dependent manner. Under electronic microscope, nucleus, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum presented various degrees of lesions with dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, Cd has significant toxicity on liver tissue of the freshwater turtle, which occurs in a dose-dependent manner.