Publication Details
Abstract
The study included 36 male Wistar rats aged between (90-110 days) and weighing between (200-260 grams). They were randomly divided into 6 groups, with each group consisting of 6 males. The first group served as the control group, administered regular water. The second group was treated with cadmium chloride at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight. The third group was administered cadmium chloride at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. The fourth group received lead acetate at a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight. The fifth group was given lead acetate at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight. The sixth group was treated with 5 mg/kg of cadmium chloride and 50 mg/kg of lead acetate. The treatment lasted for 30 days. The results showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in oxidative products, particularly Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and a significant decrease in the total antioxidant content in the serum, including Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase Enzyme (CAT), and Glutathione (GSH) compared to the control group. A significant increase (P≤0.05) was also recorded in oxidative stress markers of DNA, specifically Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosin-8, compared to the control group. Moreover, negative changes in some biochemical and hormonal characteristics of the serum were observed compared to the control group, represented by a significant decrease in sex hormones, particularly the male testosterone hormone. Additionally, the study indicated that treating the animals with different concentrations of cadmium chloride and lead acetate led to negative effects on sperm characteristics. This manifested as a significant decrease in sperm count and its normal form compared to the control group. The treatments resulted in deformities in sperm shape, such as alterations in the head and tail morphology, fusion of the midpiece, tail twisting, and occasionally tail breakage.