Cadmium induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes and protection by selenium

The main goal of this study was to investigate the role of cadmium in the p romotion of lipid peroxidation in the homogenates of rat testes and the eff ect of selenium on lipid peroxidation in testes of rats after cadmium injec tion. Treatment of rats with cadmium resulted in a time- and dose-related a ccumulation of the metal ions in testes. The concentrations of cadmium, cop per, zinc, selenium and iron in the tissues were determined by an atomic ab sorption spectrophotometer and lipid peroxidation in testes was measured by a spectrophotometer. Cadmium produced enhanced lipid peroxidation in teste s. These cadmium-induced changes were accompanied by a significant increase of iron and copper, and a decrease of zinc in testes. Concurrent treatment with selenium and cadmium reduced the cadmium-induced alterations in lipid peroxidation and essential metal levels. Data suggest that lipid peroxidat ion was associated with cadmium toxicity in testes and that the addition of selenium was found to be effective in attenuation of this effect.