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Our environment is loaded with the toxicants and heavy metals are incriminated for toxicological influences. A reproductive toxicant may interfere with the sexual functioning or reproductive ability of exposed individuals from puberty throughout adulthood. Cadmium is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that has the potential to disrupt tissue development and function. It has been associated with the male reproductive toxicity. The present study has been designed to investigate the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on the body weights and plasma testosterone level of adult male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Cadmium has manifested its effects through reduction in mean body weights of treated animals. The androgenic profile of animals was also disrupted. The necrosis of testicular vasculature is insinuated for disruption of testosterone synthesis ultimately leading to low plasma testosterone level. Therefore, it can be conclusively stated that cadmium is a potentially hazardous heavy metal that adversely affects the reproductive biology of the males and interferes with the androgen production and regulation.
About the author
Hira Naeem, a bonafide student, has done BS Hons in Zoology and pursuing MS in Biotechnology and Microbiology from Lahore College for Women University. Her research depicts the toxicological impact manifested by cadmium on plasma testosterone level.Sumera Sajjad has specialized in endocrinology and is an associate professor of Zoology in LCWU.
