Accumulation of cadmium and its effects on testis function in rats given diet containing cadmium-polluted radish bulb.
The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) incorporated in radish bulb and its effects on testes function in male rats. Control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulb for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulb (1.1 microg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in controls. At each time point, rats were killed and plasma was collected, and the testes and epididymides were removed. The findings indicated that the ratio of testes weight to body weight of contaminated rats was identical to that of control rats. Cd concentration in the testes significantly and gradually increased from the 4th to the 12th week of treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, plasma testosterone levels significantly increased, while epididymal sperm concentration significantly decreased in contaminated rats as compared to correspondent controls.
Haouem
Samir
S
Departement de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine de Monastir, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia. samirzeineb@yahoo.fr
Najjar
Mohamed Fathel
MF
El Hani
Abdelhamid
A
Sakly
Rachid
R
D000818:Animals; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005506:Food Contamination; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D031224:Raphanus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D019256:Cadmium Chloride