Effect of Maternal Exposure to Trace Cadmium on Ultrastructure and P450scc Expression in Fetal Testicles

Objective To investigate the effects of maternal exposure to trace cadmium(Cd)on fetal testicles ultrastructure and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme P450(P450scc).Methods Twelve pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into the control group and two CdCl_2 treated groups.On the 9th,llth,13th day during the pregnant period respectively,through intraperitoneal injection,the control group was treated with equivalent normal saline,the other two groups were treated with 1.2,1.5 mg/(kg·d)CdCl_2.On the 18th day during the pregnant,cesarean section was conducted to get fetus,the testes were collected for immunohistochemistry of P450scc,light microscope and ultrastructure examination.Results Sertoli's cells arranged disorder in 1.5 mg/(kg·d)CdCl_ group,whereas 1.2 mg/(kg·d)CdCl_2 group had no obvious changes compared with the control group.Abnormal ultrastructure changes of contorted seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells were also observed in two CdCl_2 groups.Swollen mitochondria and expanded endoplasmic reticulum were seen in Sertoli's cells,gonocyte and Leydig cells.Moreover,lipid droplets were cumulated in Leydig cells.The positive products of P450scc significantly decreased in CdCl_2 groups compared with the control group(P0.01).Conclusion During the critical period of male sexual differentiation,exposure to trace cadmium(Cd)may lead a significant ultrastructure damage in fetal testes,and can reduce the activity of key enzyme of testosterone synthesis.