Influence of environmental cadmium on testicular proliferation in roe deer

The influence of cadmium on spermatogenesis in roe deer was studied, compar ing animals from areas with high (n = 37) and low (n = 23) cadmium exposure . Testes were evaluated during pre-rut (May) and rut (July/August). During these periods the cadmium accumulation (mg/kg kidney) in polluted regions a veraged 3.41 and 3.52 in comparison with 1.61 and 1.81 in controls, Cadmium accumulation was positively correlated with testis weight during both seas ons. In May the proliferation (units of tissue polypeptid specific antigen/ g parenchyma) was lower in animals with higher cadmium (24.02 compared with 78.20; P < 0.01). During the rut, testicular proliferation and spermatozoa /g testis as well as apoptosis showed no significant changes with increased cadmium contamination. The results suggest delayed proliferation during th e pre-rutting period in animals with high cadmium exposure, but other indic ations of effects on the testis were not significant. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence Inc. All rights reserved.