Effects of alpha-Tocopherol on Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in Rat Testis and Spermatogenesis.
10.3346/jkms.2006.21.3.445
- Author:
Hoe Saeng YANG
1
;
Dong Keun HAN
;
Jung Ran KIM
;
Jae Chul SIM
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Korea. y31354@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Cadmium;
alpha-Tocopherol;
Testis;
Spermatogenesis;
Flow Cytometry
- MeSH:
alpha-Tocopherol/*pharmacology;
Testis/*drug effects/pathology;
Spermatogenesis/*drug effects;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Rats;
Male;
Inflammation;
Flow Cytometry;
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug;
Cadmium Poisoning/*pathology;
Cadmium/metabolism/*pharmacology;
Antioxidants/pharmacology;
Animals
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2006;21(3):445-451
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cadmium is known to exert toxic effects on multiple organs, including the testes. To determine if alpha-tocopherol, an antioxidant, could protect testicular tissues and spermatogenesis from the toxic effects of cadmium, six-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive cadmium at doses of 0 (control), 1, 2, 4 or 8 mg/kg by the intraperitoneal route (Group A) or alpha-tocopherol for 5 days before being challenged with cadmium (Group B) in an identical dose-dependent manner. When both groups received cadmium at 1 mg/kg, there were no changes in testicular histology relative to controls. When Group A received cadmium at 2 mg/kg, undifferentiated spermatids and dead Sertoli cells increased in the seminiferous tubules while interstitial cells decreased and inflammatory cells increased in the interstitial tissues. On flow cytometric analysis, the numbers of elongated spermatids (M1) and round spermatids (M2) decreased while 2c stage cells (M3, diploid) increased. In contrast, when Group B received cadmium at 2 mg/kg, the histological insults were reduced and the distribution of the germ cell population remained comparable to controls. However, alpha-tocopherol had no protective effects with higher cadmium doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg. These findings indicate that alpha-tocopherol treatment can protect testicular tissue and preserve spermatogenesis from the detrimental effects of cadmium but its effectiveness is dependent on the dose of cadmium exposed.
