THE EFFECTS OF CADMIUM CHLORID ( CdCl2 ) ON THE FUNCTIONS OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF THE MALE MICE

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) on male reproductive system of Swiss albino mice. Forty male Swiss albino mice were divided randomly   in two groups ( treatment & control groups ) . All animals were subcutaneous injected every four days for four weeks. The treatment group was injected with 2.5 mg/kg body weight from cadmium chloride solution, while the control group injected by normal saline solution. All animals of the control and treatment groups were weighted and sacrificed after the  end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected and the testes, epididymes and seminal vesicles were dissected out and weighted. Hematoxylin-Eosin stained sections were prepared from these organs for light microscopic investigation. Body weight means of CdCl₂-treated mice was showed significant reduction compared with control group (p > 0.001). However, combined testicular-epididymal and seminal vesicular weight means of CdCl₂-treated mice were significant decreased compared by control group ( p > 0.001 , p > 0.001 respectively) and there were a significant decrease in levels  testosterone   compared  with  control   ( p > 0.001 ). Stained histological sections of testes and epididymis of CdCl₂-treated group reveal a degradation of seminiferous tubules and deformity in spermatogenesis as well as absence of spermatozoa, decrease in the seminal vesicular secretion was noted in CdCl₂-treated mice.