Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition

Cadmium is ubiquitous environmental and occupational pollutant. It is mainly used in the manufacture of nickel{u2013}cadmium batteries, pigments and plastic stabilizers. This study was designed to investigate the ability of Cd to induce oxidative stress in the testes of male albino rats and the effects of Cd on male reproductive hormones and testicular histopathology. Ninety adult male albino rats were used in this study, they were divided into 3 equal groups, group 1: control; group 2: received Cd at 30 mg/L in drinking water for 8 weeks and group 3: received Cd at 60 mg/L in drinking water for 8 weeks. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the 4th, 6th and 8th weeks for collection of blood and testicular samples.The results revealed that Cd induced oxidative stress in the testes of male albino rats as evidenced by marked reduction in enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH). Exposure to Cd also resulted in lipid peroxidation as indicated by significant increase in testicular MDA level. Testosterone, LH and FSH levels were also significantly decreased in blood as a result of exposure to Cd. Marked histopathological changes ranging from detachment and sloughing to vacuolization of the seminiferous tubules appeared in the testes of rats exposed to Cd

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