An early differential effect of cadmium on the scrotal and contralateral cryptorchid testes in the rat

Evolution of localization of reactions of adenosine triphosphatase (Mg++-ATP-ase), 5'nucleotidase (5'nt), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and acid phosphatase (AcP) in developing rat testis. II. After CdCl2 treatment

The described experiments show the influence of a single dose of cadmium chloride (1.5 mg CdCl2/kg body weight applied intraperitoneally) on development of the male gonads from the 1st d of post-fetal life to 1.5 a of life. In the case of the enzymes triggering transportation processes, adenosine triphosphatase stimulated by Mg++ (Mg++-ATP-ase), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and 5'nucleotidase (5'Nt), a considerable damages begin to appear in the 15th d of life whereas in the case of acid phosphatase (AcP) already in the 1st d of life whereas in the case of acid phosphatase (AcP) already in the 1st d of life. These damages increase with age reaching their maximum in the 45th d of life.

Ultrastructural effects of cadmium on the epididymis of the cryptorchid rat

The short-term (90 min) effect of an intraperitoneal injection of cadmium chloride (3 mumol/100 g body weight) was studied with the electron microscope in the epididymis of mature rats rendered unilaterally cryptorchid 60 days before injection. It was found that the endothelium of the epididymal capillaries of the cryptorchid organ, at this low dose and short time, showed neither separation of cytoplasmic leaflets, nor platelet damage, nor extravasation, which are the lesions previously described by us and which were present in the contralateral, scrotal epididymis. The possible mechanisms for the protective action of cryptorchidism against the effects of cadmium on capillary endothelia are discussed.

Ascorbic acid and the prevention of the early action of cadmium on scrotal and cryptorchid testes in the rat

An injection of cadmium chloride at a dose level of 0.45 mg/100 g bw, exerts a differential deleterious influence on cryptorchid and contralateral scrotal testes of the same rat. A considerable damage of the cryptorchid testis is caused, with degenerative changes, after 72h following cadmium administration. However, a concomitant regimen of ascorbic acid, a potent antitoxic agent as well as a blocker of nonspecific stresses, prevents those testicular lesions quite appreciably. On the basis of our experimental documentation we believe that the adverse influence of cadmium at the testicular level might be a mediation of the metabolic alteration due to an augmented availability of endogenous catecholamines.