MECHANISMS OF ZINC, CYSTEINE AND SELENIUM PROTECTION AGAINST CADMIUM-INDUCED VASCULAR INJURY TO MOUSE TESTIS

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Abstract
It is known that the selective injurious effect of Cd on the testis can be prevented by Zn, cysteine or Se Studies, conducted in CD-I mice, were initiated to determine whether any of these treatments offered protection by preventing Cd from reaching the testis in doses sufficient to cause injury. Using cadmium chloride, labelled with 109cd, it was shown that none of these protective agents decreased the amount of Cd reaching the testis. Zinc acetate evoked no significant changes, cysteine brought about a slight enhancement of Cd level but selenium dioxide produced a marked and prolonged elevation of Cd uptake by the testis. Comparable studies in which Se, rather than Cd, was labelled (75ge) demonstrated that, in the presence of Cd, Se levels were augmented. Possible mechanisms are discussed to explain the diverse means of protection offered by Zn, cysteine and Se. Since the site of Cd-induced testicular injury has been pin-pointed at its vasculature, it is suggested that these protective agents exert their action at the vascular level.