Effect of cadmium chloride on testis and epididymides of dog. A biochemical study

Male dogs were successfully sterilized by a single subcutaneous injection of cadmium chloride. Cadmium chloride is highly toxic to cells of the seminiferous epithelium and to the proximal end of the caput epididymidis. Shrinkage of the seminiferous tubule and shortening of Leydig cells' nuclear diameter was conspicuous. Cadmium chloride caused drastic changes in the biochemical composition of testes and epididymides. It caused a reduction in RNA and sialic acid concentration of the testes and caput epididymidis. Testicular cholesterol and total lipids were increased significantly. The increased level of cholesterol would indicate a decreased production of androgen by the testis. Decreased androgen production was also reflected in reduced nuclear diameter of Leydig cells.