BackgroundHumans are ubiquitously exposed to multiple environmental contaminants. Consequences of combined action on the reproductive system remain unknown. This study aimed to assess single and joint effects of cadmium and diazinon exposure on sperm quality parameters.MethodsMale adult Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups of ten animals each. Group A was used as a control, animals from group B were exposed to cadmium (30 mg/L), rats from group C were administered with diazinon (40 mg/L), and rats from group D were exposed simultaneously to cadmium (30 mg/L) and diazinon (40 mg/L) via drinking water for 90 days. Sperm morphology and motility were evaluated using a bright field microscope and a computer-assisted semen analysis.ResultsThe percentage of motile spermatozoa and morphologically normal sperm was markedly reduced in rats from the group B. Rats from the C group showed an increase in velocity parameters, amplitude of lateral head displacement, decrease in beat-cross frequency, and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology. Simultaneous coexposure to cadmium and diazinon increased distance and velocity parameters, and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Reductions were observed in straightness, linearity, wobble, and beat-cross frequency. The decreased normal sperm morphology rates were related to defects of the sperm tail.ConclusionsExposure to cadmium and diazinon at relatively low doses impairs sperm quality and can reduce male fertility. Cadmium and diazinon caused significant changes on sperm morphology with varying effects on motility patterns. These parameters were significantly higher in the group D as compared to the group C. The findings have important implications for reproductive risk assessment of combined exposures to multiple chemicals.

In this study effects of mercury administration on the kidney and testicular structure of adult rats were evaluated. Rats received mercury (HgCl2) in single intraperitoneal dose 20 mg HgCl2 (group A), 10 mg HgCl2 (group B) and 5 mg HgCl2 (group C) per kilogram of body weight and were killed after 48 hours following mercury administration. After the preparation of histological samples the results were compared with control group (K). In kidney decreased diameters of glomeruli and renal corpuscles, damaged tubules with affected quality of tubular cells and infiltration of interstitium were detected. Quantitative analysis demonstrated increased relative volume of tubules and renal corpuscles. Also the number of nuclei and glomeruli was increased in all experimental groups. The diameter of glomeruli and renal corpuscles was decreased. In testis undulation of basal membrane, dilatation of blood vessels in interstitium and occurrence of empty spaces in germinal epithelium were observed. Decreased relative volume of germinal epithelium, increased relative volume of interstitium and increased apoptosis occurrence suggest damaged interstitium and revealed occurrence of edemas. The relative volume of seminiferous tubules showed higher luminization. The number of nuclei was decreased in all experimental groups what is in positive relation with occurrence of empty spaces. Also other evaluated criteria demonstrated significant differences between control group and experimental groups. This study reports a negative effect of mercury on the structure and function of kidney and testes.

The present study aimed to elucidate the structural changes in testis and epididymis of adult rats following subchronic peroral administration of cadmium at 30 mg/L, diazinon at 40 mg/L, cadmium at 30 mg/L, and diazinon at 40 mg/L, respectively. At the end of 90-day experiment, the samples of the testes and epididymis were assayed by qualitative and quantitative histological methods. The testis and epididymis weights increased following exposure to cadmium and simultaneous exposure to cadmium and diazinon. Testicular damage following cadmium and diazinon coexposure was significantly less expressive than in groups with individual administration of these compounds. Cadmium caused a significant thickening of seminiferous epithelium, cellular degeneration, and necrosis. Desquamation of immature germ cells resulted in a significant increase of intraepithelial spaces and reduced tubule volume in all experimental groups. Vascular dilation and congestion were detected in the interstitial tissue. The changes in epididymal histology in the group exposed to cadmium and group exposed simultaneously included a reduction of epithelium, necrotic epithelial cells, vasoconstriction, and interstitial edema together with mononuclear cell infiltration. Results did not indicate a synergistic or any additional effect from the simultaneous administration of both toxicants. Further research is needed to determine the significance and the mechanism of the adverse effects.

The content of cadmium and lead, as risk factors of environment, in liver and kidneys of wild animals as brown hare (Lepus europaeus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), wood mouse (Cleithrionomys glareolus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) were studied. Samples were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (AAS). The highest levels of cadmium were found in kidneys (0.213-2.387 mg/kg) of all animal species. The concentration of cadmium in liver was 0.032-0.258 mg/kg. The analysis of lead showed that the concentration of this element was higher in kidneys of yellow-necked mouse and wood mouse (0.503-0.780 mg/kg) than in liver (0.177-0.268 mg/kg). In brown hare and red deer a higher accumulation of lead in liver (0.221-1.904 mg/kg) in comparison with kidneys (0.115-0.561 mg/kg) is reported.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of Cd on the structure of ovary, oviduct and uterus after an experimental administration. Animals were divided into three groups. In group A rabbits received cadmium i.p. and were killed after 48 h. In group C Cd was administered p.o. for 5 month. The group K was the control. Decreased relative volume of growing follicles and increased stroma after Cd administration were detected. The number of atretic follicles was significantly higher after administration of Cd. The most frequent ultrastructural alterations observed were undulation of external nuclear membrane, dilatation of perinuclear cistern and endoplasmic reticulum. In all studied types of cells mitochondria with altered structure were found. In the oviduct the highest amount of epithelium in the group with long-term Cd administration was found. Microscopic analysis showed oedematization of the oviduct tissue, caused by disintegration of the capillary wall. An electron microscopic analysis showed dilatation of perinuclear cistern. The intercellular spaces were enlarged and junctions between cells were affected. Mainly after a long-term cadmium administration nuclear chromatin disintegration was present. In the uterus a significant change was determined in the relative volume of glandular epithelium. Increase of stroma was a sign of uterus oedamatization caused by damage in the wall of blood vessels and subsequent diapedesis. After Cd administration alteration in uterus were less expressed, in comparison with ovary and oviduct. Alteration of nuclear chromatin contain following Cd administration suggests degenerative functional changes.

In this study the concentration of copper, iron, zinc, cadmium, lead, and nickel in bull and ram semen and relation of these metals to spermatozoa morphology was investigated. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed that copper concentration was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in ram semen in comparison with bull semen. The zinc concentration was higher in bull semen in comparison with ram semen. The iron and cadmium concentrations in the semen were similar. Higher concentration of lead was found in ram semen. Higher levels of nickel were found in ram semen in comparison with bulls. In bull semen 11.79+/-4.88% of pathological spermatozoa was found. Higher occurrence of pathological spermatozoa was in ram semen (17.17+/-3.76) in comparison with the semen of bulls. Separated tail, tail torso, and knob twisted tail were the most frequent forms of pathological spermatozoa in both species. Correlation analysis in bulls showed high positive relation between iron and zinc (r = 0.72), nickel and separated tail (r = 0.76), separated tail and tail torso (r = 0.71), tail torso and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r=0.72), and between tail ball and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.78). In rams high positive correlation between cadmium and lead (r=0.98), nickel and separated tail (r=0.77), separated tail and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r=0.69), knob twisted tail and retention of cytoplasmic drop (r=0.78), and between knob twisted tail and other pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.71) was found. High negative correlation in ram semen was observed between copper and nickel (r=0.71), copper and separated tail (r=0.70), and between iron and tail torso (r=0.67). The results suggest that the studied metals have a direct effect on spermatozoa quality.

Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury in liver and kidneys of brown hares in relation to season, age, and sex were investigated. Over a period of one year 74 hares, 36 males and 38 females were analyzed. The concentrations of lead and cadmium were analyzed by AAS and mercury was determined by mercury vapor technique. The median concentration of lead in liver as well as in kidney in relation to the season is the highest in winter period in comparison with spring, summer, and summer period (p < 0.001). The highest concentration of cadmium was found in winter, but the differences were not significant. In mercury, we report significantly higher (p < 0.001) median concentrations in liver (0.023 mg kg(-1)) as well as in kidney (0.068 mg kg(-1)) in winter period in comparison with all other observed periods. In relation to age the concentrations in lead and mercury in liver and kidney were very similar, without significant differences. In cadmium we report significantly higher concentrations in the liver as well as kidney in adult animals (0.154 and 1.521 mg kg(-1)) in comparison with juvenile animals (0.048 and 0.582 mg kg(-1), respectively). In comparison of the female and male brown hares we found significantly higher (p < 0.05) median concentration of lead in the liver of males (0.216 mg kg(-1)) than in females (0.127 mg kg(-1)) and the level of cadmium is significantly higher (p < 0.001) in females (1.464 mg kg(-1) than in male brown hares (1.384 mg kg(-1)).

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