Effects of cadmium on male reproduetive ability in rat

To explore the effects of cadmium on male reproductive ability in rat, 24 adult rats were divided randomly into four groups respectively. 0,0.5,1,and 2 mg Cd²⁺/kg body weight were injected subcutaneously in different groups, once a day, and five days per week. The exposure period is 5 weeks. The male rats finished cadmium exposure were matched with normal female rats in the ratio of 1:2.On the 21st day of the pregnancy, the female rats were sacrificed and the number of corpus luteum, the sex ratio, weight, body length, and tail length of fetuses were measmed. The results showed that with the increase of dose of cadmium, there was a decreased mated rate in male rats (P<0.05). Female rats mated successfully in cadmium exposed groups were significantly fewer than that in the control group (P<0.01). The number of female rats with living fetus in 0.5mg Cd²⁺/kg group was smaller than that in the controls (P>0.05). There was no living fetus in 1 and 2mgCd²⁺/kg groups. Comparison of the body weight, body height, tail length, and gender of fetus between 0. 5 mg Cd²⁺/kg and the control group showed no significant difference.No malformation in bone was found in the two groups. These findings revealed that cadmiuln can significantly affect male fenility, but has no offects on fetus when female rats are pregnant successfully.