Histomorphological evaluation of mice testis after co-exposure to lead and cadmium

The present study investigates the effects of co-exposure to lead and cadmium on mice testis using histomorphological approach. Male mice were subcutaneously injected with lead chloride on day 1 and cadmium chloride on day 2 (74 and 1 mg/kg body weight, respectively), and kept for 24 h. Vehicle control group was also considered. Mice were then sacrificed and testis were collected and weighed. Samples were fixed on Bouin's solution and processed for histology. The diameter of seminiferous tubules in both groups was calculated using software based on deformable models (SNAKE). The combined exposure of lead and cadmium induced degenerative changes in testis, namely, wavy contour of seminiferous tulules, germ cell loss, and release of immature cells into the lumen. Atrophy of seminiferous tubules was seen in this group, confirmed by a significant (P<0.001) decrease in the diameter. Cumulative effects of lead and cadmium may have disrupted the blood-testis barrier, then causing the histopathological lesions within testis.