Effects Of Ni～(2+) And Cr～(6+) On The Structure And Function Of Testis In Male Adult Rat

ObjectiveThe present study was to investigate effects of long-term, low-level nickel ion (Ni²⁺) and hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) exposure on the structure and function in adult rat, to investigate their joint toxicity to male reproductive system of rats. And to investigate effects of environmental estrogen (EEs), including Ni²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Cadmium ion (Cd²⁺) and diethylstilbestrol (DES), on the expression of vimentin in testis, to provide referential evidence for the pathogeny of male infertility in combined pollution environment.Materials and Methods1. Animals and reagentAdult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, aged 10 to 12 weeks, were housed in an animal facility in all groups administrated by Ni²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, and Cd²⁺. And male pubertal SD rats, aged 6 weeks, in groups administrated by DES. The animals were maintained in cages, under light and dark schedules (12h: 12h), and fed with complete pellets. The daily administrated time was limited, and ingestion was permitted after administration. Nickel sulphate(NiSO4) and potassium dichromate(K₂Cr₂O₇) and Cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) are dissolved in physiological saline solution, and DES in corn oil.2. Grouping and toxicant exposures160 animals were randomly divided into groups; each had four in Ni²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, and Cd²⁺experimental groups, and six in DES groups. The details of all groups are showed in Fig 1. Animals in acute Ni²⁺-Cr⁶⁺ and Ni²⁺-Cd²⁺ experimental groups were administrated by ip, once a day for two weeks, and animals in acute DES experimental groups on alternate days for 28 days.