Effect of different concentrations of cadmium chloride on some structural changes of testes in adult male rabbits

Abstract EN

This present study was designed to investigate the effects of two levels of cadmium chloride (30 and 40 part per billion (ppb)) in drinking water on body weight, relative weight of testes and epididymus (head, body, tail), diameter and thickness of seminiferous tubules.

Eighteen mature male rabbits were randomly divided into three equal groups; the control group (GI) were given ordinary tap water and animals in the first treated group (GII) were received 30 part per billion (ppb) of cadmium chloride in drinking water; while animals in the second treated group(GIII) were given 40 ppb of cadmium chloride in drinking water.

Weight of animals were taken at the pre-treated period and every three weeks during the treated period.

At the end of experiment the animals were killed, testis and epididymus were taken in order to measuring their weight.

Samples testis were taken for histological study and for measuring the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the cells lining their.

The results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the mean body weight of animals in the groups including the control (GI).The results also pointed to occurrence of a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the relative weight of testis and epididymus of both cadmium treated groups.

Besides a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean of diameter the seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the cells lining them were occur after exposure to cadmium chloride.

Concerning the histological study of the testis the results showed presence of acute necrotic changes modified by vaculation of cytoplasm of sertolli cells with decrease in number of spermatogenic cells, GIII group were more affected than GII group.

On conclusion, cadmium chloride in drinking water (30 and 40 ppb) caused functional change in spermatogenesis in adult male rabbits.