Protective Effect of Several Metals Against Cadmium Injury to Mouse Testicle

Cho, Yong Hyun; Lim, Soo Kil

Abstract

One of the most obvious effects of cadmium poisoning in experimental animals is induction of testicular necrosis. Many studies have been conducted, but the mechanism of the disturbance, which is peculiar to the testicle, has not been elucidated. Testicular damage due to cadmium exposure greatly differs depending upon strains of mice and methods of administration. As a preventive measure against testicular necrosis due to cadmium, pretreatment of small doses of cadmium and several kinds of metals have been found to be effective. In order to examine testicular damage by cadmium doses and protective effects by small doses of metals (Cd, Cu, Se, Mn) and phenobarbital which were administered before single challenge dose of cadmium, mature male I. C. R. mice, 16 weeks of age, weighing approximately 40g were used in this study. The weights of the body and the testicle, cadmium concentration in the testicle and results of histopathological findings of the experimental groups were as follows. 1. With regard to the body weight of each group that was injected intraperitoneally with single cadmium doses of 0.5, 1.O, 2.O and 3.Omg/kg the last two groups showed a significant decrease in one week. 2. Relative testicular weight (testicular weight ,body weight) one week after cadmium administration decreased significantly in the group of more than 1.Omg/kg administration. However, in the pretreatment groups, it was found that the group pretreated with cadmium did not decrease. 3. Cadmium concentration in the testicle in each group increased with the amount of cadmium doses. However, in the pretreatment group, the groups pretreated with cadmium and manganese did not increase. 4. In histopathological findings of the testicle on the 7the day after cadmium administration, the minimum dose of cadmium that induced edema in the interstitial tissue and inactive spermatogenesis in a few germinal epithelia was O.5 mg/kg, but the changes seemed to be due to inhibitory effect for spermatogenesis rather than direct injury to the testicular tissue. Necrosis was observed in the spermatogenic epithelium in the 2.O mg/kg group and severe necroses were extended to the interstitial tissue in the 3.O mg/kg group. The critical concentrations of cadmium for the histopathological change in the testicular tissue was 0.32ug/g and that for necrotic change was 0.60ug/g. 5. Protective effect in the pretreatment groups was noticeable in the cadmium pretreated group and moderate effect in the manganese group; however, in the other metal groups and the phenobarbital group little effect was observed. 6. Comparison of the histopathological findings between the group of pretreatment showing effect.