The Effect Of Cadmium Exposure On Spermatogenesis In The Prepubertal Rat

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Fertility
Article Date: 30 Jun 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - The authors continue their exploration of the role of cadmium in male infertility.

Environmental toxins may influence male fertility. Pesticides, excess hormones, and heavy metals are examples of substances that have been implicated as toxins affecting spermatogenesis.

This study in Wistar Hanover rats assessed the impact of cadmium containing water on testicular and epididymal histology, epididymal sperm count and intra-testicular testosterone levels. A DNA microarray chip was utilized to study a limited panel of genes related to calcium homeostasis. The histology demonstrated decline of spermatogenesis in the testis and the number of sperm in the epididymis with exposure and time. The levels of intra-testicular testosterone declined with all administered doses of cadmium. The microarray chips reported up regulation of 4 genes and down regulation of 2 genes related to calcium metabolism.

The authors indicate that cadmium may be important cause of impaired fertility.

Editorial Comment:This work is interesting and appears to indicate a delerterious effect of cadmium exposure. The questions remain whether or not similar levels of exposure are seen in the environment and whether long term exposure has a cumulative effect. Epidemiologic studies of regions at risk for high levels of cadmium contamination are necessary.

Presented by Matthew C Ercolani, MD, et al., at the Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) - May 17 - 22, 2008. Orange County Convention Center - Orlando, Florida, USA.

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Harris M. Nagler, MD

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