Protective effect of deferoxamine on cadmium induced testicular toxicity in rats

ABSTRACT

This study examined the possible protective action of deferoxamine [DF], whichis an iron chelator on cadmium-induced testicular damage in albino rats. Theparameters used to evaluate the testicular damage were the histological andultrastructural status of the testis as well as the level of serumtestosterone. The results of the study revealed that the administration of asingle dose of 50 mg/kg DF did not cause evident protective effect againsttesticular damage caused by a single dose of CdCl2. However, when DF wasgiven in repeated doses [3 doses], it caused an excellent protective action,where the histological and ultrastructural picture of the testis was nearlynormal, except for very few residual damage, and maintained an almost normallevels of serum testosterone. It was suggested that repeated low doses ofdeferoxamine could protect and reduce cadmium- induced testicular damage