THE EFFECTS OF CADMIUM ON THE AVIAN TESTIS

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Abstract
A single intra-muscular dose of cadmium chloride (0.2 ml of a 0.04 M solution) caused a retardation of the photoperiodic response in the testes of wood-pigeons (Columba palumbus) given a 16-hr, photoperiod in late February to March. A similar injection administered in August did not affect the normal seasonal post-nuptial regression. Necrosis of the seminiferous tubules was not evident. An intra-muscular injection given to feral pigeons (C. livia) with testes in full breeding condition, again produced no necrosis of the seminiferous tubules, but interfered with the radial coordination of cells in the germinal epithelium. An intra-testicular injection (0.1 ml of 0.04 M solution) of cadmium chloride into specimens of both species, caused localized necrotic damage as well as a more general disruption of germ-cell co-ordination in the seminiferous epithelium.