Effects of cadmium chloride administration on the testicular growth and plasma testosterone secretion of Chios ram-lambs

The effect of cadmium chloride on the plasma concentration of testosterone and on testicular development was investigated in 3-month old ram-lambs of the Chios breed. Animals were randomly divided into two groups comprising seven animals each. One group (cadmium-treated) was given a single daily oral dose of cadmium chloride (3 mg/kg BW) for a period of 7 months. The second group (control) was given double distilled water. Plasma testosterone concentration was determined by RIA, while cadmium concentration in the whole blood and in the testes was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Treatment with cadmium chloride decreased both the body and testes weight of the animals. The same treatment also modulated the number of plasma testosterone peaks as well as the mean testosterone concentration. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of lesions in the testes of the cadmium chloride treated animals, which were localized in the Sertoli cells, the seminiferous tubules, the primary and the secondary spermatocytes and the spermatides, whereas in the Leydig cells no significant lesions were evident.