Protective role of zinc against the toxicity induced by exposure to cadmium during gestation and lactation on testis development.
To assess the effects of exposure to Cd and Zn on rat testicular development, offspring, from mothers receiving either tap water, Cd, Zn or Cd+Zn during gestation and lactation periods, were observed on gestational day (GD) 20 and on postnatal days (PND) 12, 21 and 35. During gestation, Cd induced maternal hypozincemia and less transfer of Zn to the fetus. During lactation, progressive Cd accumulation and Zn depletion in testis at PND12 and PND21 were noted. An increase of abnormal seminiferous tubules and a decrease in testis weight and plasmatic testosterone concentration were also observed at PND21 and PND35 respectively. Interestingly, Zn supply induced a significant protection against Cd toxicity. These results suggest that the toxic effects of Cd observed during development are mediated by the disruption of Zn metabolism, which is established in mothers during pregnancy causing Zn deficiency in fetuses and continues to become more pronounced during lactation.
LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
Marouane
M
Chemek
LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
Safa Ben
SB
Mimouna
LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
Sana
S
Boughammoura
Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, boulevard des Prairies, Laval (Québec), Canada.
Géraldine
G
Delbès
LR11ES41: Génétique, Biodiversité et Valorisation des Bioressources, Institut de Biotechnologie, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia. Electronic address: imed_messaoudi@yahoo.fr.
Imed
I
Messaoudi
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D020011:Protective Agents; D002104:Cadmium; D015032:Zinc
Cadmium; Development; Gestation; Lactation; Testis; Zinc