Inheritance of sensitivity to cadmium induced testicular damage in mice

Testicular damage induced by cadmium in inbred mouse strains was evaluated on the basis of the thickness of tunica albuginea and histological images of the seminiferous tubules and the interstitial tissue. While comparing the thickness of the tunica in the untreated KP, C57 and CBA males as well as in F1 (KP x CBA) and B1 (KP x CBA) x CBA, the authors found it to be inherited in a simple Mendelian way. The thin tunica of the sensitive KP and C57 strain males became markedly thickened after injected with cadmium chloride. On the contrary, no changes were observed in the resistant CBA strain males which are characterised by a thick tunica. The results corroborate Taylor's [10] hypothesis that resistance to the damaging effect of cadmium is controlled by a single autosomal recessive gene. In addition, it is suggested that thickness of the tunica is positively correlated with the resistance to the action of cadmium.