This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by WEBB, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by WEBB, M.

BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF Cd²⁺-INJURY IN THE RAT AND MOUSE TESTIS

Summary.: Biochemical changes that occur in the rat or mouse testis after a single subcutaneous injection of a sub-toxic dose of CdCl₂ (2·2 µmol/100 g body wt) include decreases in the contents of DNA, RNA and in the activities of certain Zn²⁺-containing enzymes. The protein content is increased, although the rate of protein synthesis is reduced. Uptake of Cd²⁺ by the testis is small and does not cause the displacement of Zn^{2 +}. In both species, the concentration of Zn^{2 +} remains constant in the testis for a short time after the parenteral administration of Cd^{2 +}, and then increases progressively. Initially, this increase appears to be due to the decrease in weight of the damaged testis, which is not accompanied by the loss of Zn²⁺. Later, when the testicular weight becomes constant, Zn²⁺ continues to accumulate to a level nine to ten times greater than in the normal testis.

In the male rat, subcutaneously injected Cd²⁺ accumulates to high levels and is retained in the liver and kidneys. In both of these organs also, the Zn²⁺ content increases with the uptake of Cd²⁺. Bound Cd²⁺ is present in the soluble components (cell sap) of these tissues as a single fraction, probably metallothionein. This Cd²⁺-binding protein also accumulates Zn²⁺ and is responsible for its increased uptake.

Competitive antagonism between the toxic Cd²⁺ cation and the essential Zn^{2 +} ion may occur in the epididymis since, in this organ, the content of the latter cation decreases with the uptake of the former.