Cadmium affects testes and semen of rabbits exposed before and after puberty

摘要: Semen quality and testicular characteristics were measured in 92 rabbits three controlled experiments with males exposed to cadmium chloride (Cd) when 12 or 27 weeks old. Doses of Cd administered subcutaneously (s.c.), orally, intravenously (i.v.) subsets animals unilaterally castrated not evaluate the testes collect semen repeatedly from adults. There was considerable variability but given at age doses 0.08 mmol/kg s.c., 0.20 0.02 i.v. tended depress sperm output these The dose i.v., 0.4 0.16 s.c. lethal many animals. Treatment adults resulted a generally similar pattern systemic toxicity, limited comparisons suggested that sensitivity slightly less than for young males. Androgenic function usually maintained, as indicated by normal libido seminal volumes even reduced spermatogenesis. Necropsies confirmed previous findings hyperemia, hemorrhaging, necrosis, destruction all spermatogenic elements severely affected