The effect of a low dose of cadmium on spermatogenesis in rams

Autor: R. F. E. Axford, N.R Berry, I Ap Dewi, P.C. Chiy, Clive J. C. Phillips
Rok vydání: 1999
Předmět:
Zdroj: Small Ruminant Research. 31:97-102
ISSN: 0921-4488
DOI: 10.1016/s0921-4488(98)00136-9
Popis: Spermatogenesis in five rams that were fed 7.5 mg Cd daily, a quantity typical of levels in the vicinity of a pollution source, was compared with five rams that received no cadmium supplement. Cadmium was added to their concentrate supplement and the rams grazed a perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot pasture. Semen from each ram was collected weekly into an artificial vagina for 7 weeks from days 20–69, a period that was deliberately short to minimise the possibility that effects of cadmium on intake and other physiological processes might indirectly affect spermatogenesis. There were no treatment effects on the spermatozoa concentration in the semen or output per ejaculate, the proportion of live spermatozoa, their progressive linear or vertical motility, wave motion at the periphery of the semen sample or testis circumference. Of 13 different measurements taken of behaviour, cadmium affected only 3; cadmium-treated rams grazed longer, ruminated less and had fewer Flehman responses. Since there were only 5 rams/treatment for a 2-day period, these apparent effects of cadmium on behaviour need to be treated with caution. It is concluded that cadmium concentrations of feed that are typical of a polluted area pose no risk in the short term to spermatogenesis in rams, but there are effects on behaviour that warrant further investigation.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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