|
Abstract
|
Objective: Chemical elements play a crucial role in male reproduction, as an unbalance in their amounts may lead to defective spermatogenesis, reduced libido, and consequently, male fertility impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between concentration of cadmium in blood serum, testicular and epididymal tissues of slaughtered rams at Hamadan abattoir and sperm quality parameters, and serum testosterone concentration. Materials and Methods: Testis and blood samples used for this study were collected from forty five rams (mehraban breed) from Hamadan abattoir. The viability, motility, and morphology charactristics of the cauda epididymal sperm was assessed by means of the Eosin-Nigrosin staining method. Testosterone concentration in blood serum was measured by ELFA. The blood serum, testicular and epididymal tissue samples were analyzed for the presence of cadmium by using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). Statistical analysis of results was carried out using the SAS software. Results: The mean (± SD) of cadmium concentration in blood serum, testicular and epididymal tissues of rams were 0.15 ± 0.02 (μg/ml), 0.05 ± 0.08 (μg/g), and 0.22 ± 0.41 (μg/g), respectively. The mean serum testosterone concentration was 1.63 ± 2.19 (ng/ml). The correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between epididymal tissue cadmium and sperm viability, and positive correlation between testicular tissue cadmium and detached head and microcephalic sperm. High positive correlation between epididymal tissue cadmium and dead sperm (r=0.424), and detached head (r=0.508) was found. According to the statistical analysis, there was no significant correlation between testosterone and cadmium. Also, there was no association between cadmium and sperm motility. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study indicated that cadmium in testicular tissue and epididymal tissue negatively affects the viability and morphologic parameters of spermatozoa and subsequ
|