ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) incorporated in radish bulb and its effects on testes function in male rats. Control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulb for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulb (1.1 microg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in controls. At each time point, rats were killed and plasma was collected, and the testes and epididymides were removed. The findings indicated that the ratio of testes weight to body weight of contaminated rats was identical to that of control rats. Cd concentration in the testes significantly and gradually increased from the 4th to the 12th week of treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, plasma testosterone levels significantly increased, while epididymal sperm concentration significantly decreased in contaminated rats as compared to correspondent controls.
Subject(s)
Cadmium Chloride/toxicity , Cadmium Poisoning/physiopathology , Food Contamination , Testis/drug effects , Animals , Diet/adverse effects , Male , Organ Size/drug effects , Raphanus/chemistry , Raphanus/toxicity , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Spermatozoa/drug effects , Testis/pathology , Testosterone/bloodABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) incorporated in radish bulb and its effects on liver and kidney functions in male rats. Control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulb for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulb (1.1 microg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in controls. At each time point, rats were killed and plasma was collected, and the liver and the kidneys were removed. Results indicated that body weight gain of contaminated rats was identical to that of control rats. Cd concentration in the liver and the kidney increased significantly and gradually from the 4th to the 12th week of treatment. Plasma alanine aminotrasfase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities increased significantly after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, while plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was increased significantly only after 12 weeks. Plasma urea concentration was comparable in the two groups during the experimental period, while plasma creatinine concentration increased significantly after 12 weeks of treatment.
