INHERITANCE OF SENSITIVITY TO CADMIUM INDUCED TESTICULAR DAMAGE IN MICE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (3) , 267-+
Abstract
Testicular damage induced by Cd in inbred mouse strains was evaluated on the basis of the tunica albuginea thickness and histological images of the seminiferous tubules and the interstitial tissue. The thickness of the tunica was compared in the untreated KP, C57 and CBA males and in F1 (KP .times. CBA) and B1 (KP .times. CBA) .times. CBA and was inherited in a simple Mendelian way. The thin tunica of the sensitive KP and C57 strain males became markedly thickened after injected with cadmium chloride. No changes were observed in the resistant CBA strain males which are characterized by a thick tunica. The results corroborate Taylor''s hypothesis that resistance to the damaging effect of Cd is controlled by a single autosomal recessive gene. Tunica thickness is positively correlated with the resistance to the action of Cd.