EFFECT OF LEAD AND CADMIUM ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF MALE RABBITS

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Dept. of Theriogenology, Fac. of Vet. Med. Beni-Suef Cairo University.

2 Dept. of Physiology, Fac. of Vet. Med. Beni-Suef Cairo Univ.

3 Dept. of Biochemistry, Fac. of Vet. Med. Beni-Suef Cairo Univ.

Abstract

A total of 32 adult male rabbits were used in this study. They were left for one month for training on semen collection and then classified into four groups (8 animals in each). The 1st and 2 nd group were allowed to
drink lead polluted water with low and high levels respectively (5 ppm &10 ppm) while the 3 rd and 4 th group were allowed to drink Cadmium polluted water with low and high level respectively (2ppm & 4ppm) for 6 weeks, then the treatments were stopped and the animals were allowed to drink pollution free water (normal tap water) for 4 weeks. Blood and semen samples were taken weekly before beginning, during and after stopping the treatments for evaluation of semen picture and analysis of testosterone, LH and F.S.H. hormones. The results showed that, the levels of testosterone, LH and F.S.H. hormones significantly decreased in treated animals and began to be significantly improved after stopping the treatment in both pollution levels of both elements. Also, the semen picture (volume, concentration, live/dead %, motility %, abnormalities) significantly decreased in treated animals starting from the 3 rd week of treatment in case of low level of both elements and at the 2 nd week in case of high level of both elements. There were significant improvement in semen picture at the 4 th week post treatment when compared with that of the last week of treatment in all cases of pollution Both Cadmium and Lead pollutant are able to produce drastic effects on semen picture and reduction of hormonal levels, after stopping of pollution some improvement on semen picture and hormonal levels have occurred.

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