Cadmium‐induced injury of the rat testis

Abstract

It is well known that cadmium chloride administered as single, subcutaneous, sub-toxic doses selectively damages the rat testis, producing irreversible injury of the germinal epithelium and temporary damage to the interstitial tissue. Studies reported here demonstrate that: (1) this injury represents an ischemic necrosis secondary to rapid production of intertubular edema ( 4 to 6 hours), increased intratesticular pressure, with or without associated hemorrhage, and ultimate interference with testicular blood supply and drainage -not unlike injury following testicular artery ligation; ( 2 ) as dosage is progressively reduced to approximately one-sixth that employed by most investigators, interstitial tissue is unaffected and ischemic necrosis is supplanted by a non-necrotic degeneration of the germinal epithelium closely resembling, in its histopathology and irreparability, that occurring after vitamin E deficiency; (3) oral administration of vitamin E has no protective effect, and testes of rats critically depleted of E show no increased susceptibility to cadmium.Observations on the nature and distribution of tubular injury, and on the vasculature of the testis and epididymis, suggest that the unusual sensitivity of the testis to cadmium is related to unique features of its vasculature; namely, the pulseless, semistagnant flow of blood in the intratesticular course of the testicular artery, which permits cadmium to alter capillary endothelium permeability, causing edema and pressure effects leading to acute anoxia at higher levels of dosage, and diminishing degrees of anoxia with decreasing dosage levels. Comparable morphological features of the proximal segment of the caput epididymis make it likewise susceptible to cadmium injury.

Male Antifertility Compounds: U-5897 as a Rat Chemosterilant

“…It is suggested that the cadmium ion affects either the testicular vessels and their epididymal branches (Gunn, Gould, & Anderson, 1963), or their end-arterial capillary bed (Mason, Brown, Young & Nesbit, 1964). The number of rats with lesions following either cadmium administration or ligation of superior epididymal vessels (but not small capital branches of the inferior epididymal vessels) approaches 30%.…”

“…Although this region of the epididymis has the highest venous blood flow, it also has high metabolic activity (Setchell, Waites & Till, 1964). Blood flow through the epididymal branches which supply this region of the epididymis is presumed to be sluggish (Mason et al, 1964 (Kormano, 1968). Changes in the end-arterial capillary bed could be the site of U-5897 action.…”

Strain Differences in Susceptibility of Mice and Rats to Cadmium-Induced Testicular Damage

“…selective destructive effect of cadmium on the testis of the rat and mouse have since been confirmed by Meek (1959), Kar & Das (1960), Gunn, Gould & Anderson (1961), Allanson & Deanesly (1962), Chiquoine (1964), Mason, Brown, Young & Nesbit (1964) and others. During studies on the induction of interstitial cell tumours of the testis by cadmium (Gunn, Gould & Anderson, 1963), we noted that cadmium failed to cause any degree of damage to the testis of the BALB/c mouse.…”

Investigation of anatomical anomalies in Hanford Site mule deer

“…These effects were also complimented with significantly reduced body weights. Mason et al (1964) describe effects of cadmiuminduced injury of the rat testis and also document the presence of vascular lesions, interstital edema, and hemorrhage. Colburn et al (1993) also identified literature documenting the potential for cadmium, lead, or mercury to act as estrogenic-rnimicing chemicals.…”