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Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal related to a decrease in sperm parameters. The transit of spermatozoa through the epididymis is necessary to generate changes in the sperm membrane, such as the assembly of various carbohydrates that are added to the spermatazoan’s surface to prepare it for successful fertilisation of the oocyte. No studies have yet analysed whether Cd alters the presence and distribution of these carbohydrates. We aimed to evaluate the changes induced by Cd in the distribution pattern of N-acetylglucosamine, sialic acid, mannose and fucose on the sperm membrane in the epididymis (e.g. caput, corpus, cauda) and if it alters the epididymal epithelium. Male Wistar pups were treated with Cd doses (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5mg/kg) on postnatal days 1–49. At postnatal day 90, they were humanely killed, sperm samples were obtained from the epididymis and tissue samples were taken for histological analysis. Cd concentrations in the blood and epididymis increased in proportion to the dose administered and decreased the serum testosterone levels and sperm quality. Histological analysis revealed alterations in the epithelium in all Cd-treated groups. Cd altered the distribution patterns of carbohydrates and fluorescence indices. All these alterations affected the structure and functioning of sperm.

Introduction 3. Cellular mechanisms of Cd toxicity 4. Effects of Cd on the function of the hypothalamic-hypophysis-testis axis (HHT) 4.1. Synthesis of hypothalamic and hypophysis hormones 4.2. Cd, neurotransmitters and GnRH 4.3. Effects of Cd on the morphophysiology of the male reproductive tract 4.3.1. The testicle 4.3.2. The epididymis 4.3.3. Accessory sex glands 4.4 Cd's effect on sperm parameters 5. Effects of Cd on puberty and sexual maturation 5.1. Puberty 6. Cd as a neuroendocrine disruptor 6.1. Estrogenic-type effects of Cd 6.2. Androgenic-type effects of Cd 6.3. Testosterone synthesis 7. Impact of cadmium on the immune and male reproductive systems 8. Conclusion 9. Acknowledgments 10. References Cadmium exposure and male reproductive functions 287

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