Mária Adamkovičová

Effects of subchronic exposure to cadmium and diazinon on testis and epididymis in rats.

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.

Quantitative histological analysis of the mouse testis after the long-term administration of nickel in feed

In this study, the effects of nickel chloride (NiCl2) applied per os on testis histopathology and morphometry of mice were investigated. The metal was applied in pellets at a dose of 10 mg NiCl2/kg bw to male mice 4 weeks of age. After 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of nickel administration, the relative volume of whole seminiferous tubule, germinal epithelium, tubule lumen, interstitium and blood vessels as well as the diameter of seminiferous tubules were determined in the experimental and corresponding control groups. Microscopic examination of testis showed significant changes in all nickel-exposed groups. The degeneration of germinal epithelium, with released germ cells into the lumen of the tubules, and occurrence of empty spaces in the seminiferous epithelium were found in all experimental groups. The changes in the testes were time-dependent. The relative volume of empty spaces in the seminiferous epithelium significantly increased (P < 0.001) in all experimental groups when compared with the corresponding control. A significant decrease in the relative volume of seminiferous epithelium was observed after 6 and 12 weeks of Ni-exposure. The increased luminization of the tubules was found after 6 (P < 0.001), 9 (P < 0.01) and 12 (P < 0.001) weeks. Interstitial tissue significantly decreased after 6 and 9 weeks of Ni exposure and increased after 12 weeks of Ni intake. The seminiferous tubule diameter significantly (P < 0.001) decreased after 12 weeks. Results of this study report a serious, time-dependent changes in the testes, mainly in the germinal epithelium, after a peroral intake of nickel.

STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE RAT TESTIS CAUSED BY DIAZINON AND SELENIUM

The aim of this study was to find the structural changes in the rat testis after a diazinon, selenium and their combined administration. The testis structural changes after the diazinon intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg b.w., selenium 2 mg/kg b.w. and both diazinon 20 mg/kg b.w. and selenium 2 mg/kg b.w. were evaluated by histological and morphometric methods in light microscopy. 36 hours after the diazion i.p. administration, the vacuolization of the seminiferous epithelium, evacuation of germ cells into the tubule lumen, epithelium necrosis and disintegration, interstitium extension and fibrotization were observed. The germ cells released from the basal lamina and subsequently they were visible in the tubule lumen. Blood vessels were damaged and morphometric analysis have shown their significant dilatation (P<0.05). Diazinon causes the damage of the germinal epithelium in the testes leading to the spermatogenesis failure. The infertility can then appear. In selenium treated group disintegration of cellular associations in the seminiferous epithelium, damaged and separating spermatids lines, reduced spermatogenesis and significant vacuolization of seminiferous epithelium (P<0.0001) were observed. Similar changes as in selenium threated group occured, significant vacuolization of seminiferous epithelium (P<0.05) was seen. In combined diazinon and selenium treated group protective effects of selenium in seminiferous epithelium and interstitium were noticed. Further investigation of diazinon and selenium is needed to practical use this results. doi:10.5219/44