Zinc protection against cadmium injury to rat testis.

Abstract

The effectiveness of zinc in countering the deleterious effect of ca dmium on the testis was studied in rats. Subcutaneous injection of .03 mM/kg cadmium salt caused irreversible damage to the seminiferous tubules resulting in sterilty. No pathologic changes were noted in the female genital tract. There was also damage to the interstitial tissue which later underwent hyperplasia and reestablished its ability to elaborate androgens. However when 3mM/kg of zinc salt was simultaneously administered with cadmium no toxic effects were observed for approximately 8 weeks. Breeding of rats 8 weeks after the combined injection provided protection for at least 20 weeks. However breeding immediately after the combined treatment reduced the protection to 3-4 weeks. Explanations for these various effects are discussed.