Testicular toxicity induced by dietary cadmium in cocks and ameliorative effect by selenium.
Cadmium (Cd) is an ubiquitous environmental pollutant that has been associated with male reproductive toxicity in animal models. However, little is known about the reproductive toxicity of Cd in birds. To investigate the toxicity of Cd on male reproduction in birds and the protective effects of selenium (Se) against subchronic exposure to dietary Cd, 100-day-old cocks received either Se (as 10 mg Na(2)SeO(3) per kg of diet), Cd (as 150 mg CdCl(2) per kg of diet) or Cd + Se in their diets for 60 days. Histological and ultrastructural changes in the testis, the concentrations of Cd and Se, amount of lipid peroxidation (LPO), the activities of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and apoptosis and serum testosterone levels were determined. Exposure to Cd significantly lowered SOD and GPx activity, Se content in the testicular tissue, and serum testosterone levels. It increased the amount of LPO, the numbers of apoptotic cells and Cd concentration and caused obvious histopathological changes in the testes. Concurrent treatment with Se reduced the Cd-induced histopathological changes in the testis, oxidative stress, endocrine disorder and apoptosis, suggesting that the toxic effects of cadmium on the testes is ameliorated by Se. Se supplementation also modified the distribution of Cd in the testis.
Li
Jin-Long
JL
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, People's Republic of China.
Gao
Rui
R
Li
Shu
S
Wang
Jin-Tao
JT
Tang
Zhao-Xin
ZX
Xu
Shi-Wen
SW
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight; D002104:Cadmium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D002645:Chickens; D004032:Diet; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011897:Random Allocation; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D013739:Testosterone; D012643:Selenium