Pubertal cadmium exposure impairs testicular development and spermatogenesis via disrupting testicular testosterone synthesis in adult mice

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known testicular toxicant. However, the effects of pubertal Cd exposure on testicular development and spermatogenesis remained to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of pubertal Cd exposure on testicular development and spermatogenesis. Male CD-1 mice were intraperitoneally injected with CdCl2 (1 mg/kg) daily from postnatal day 35 (PND35) to PND70. As expected, pubertal Cd exposure significantly decreased the number of spermatozoa in epididymides. In addition, pubertal Cd exposure markedly reduced the weights of testes, epididymides and prostate and seminal vesicle in adult mice. A significant decrease in serum and testicular testosterone (T) was observed in mice exposed to Cd during puberty. Moreover, pubertal Cd exposure markedly reduced mRNA and protein levels of testicular StAR, P450scc, P45017α and 17β-HSD. Taken together, these results suggest that the decreased testicular T synthesis might partially contribute to pubertal Cd-induced impairment on testicular development and spermatogenesis in mice.