Studies On Reproductive Toxicosis Caused By Acute Cadmium Toxication In Male Quail, Coturnix Japonica

With the quick development of modern industry and agriculture, industry and agriculture waste which contains plenty of heavy metal pollutants were dumped in environment, the problem of heavy metal pollution in the environment becomes serious. Cadmium, one of the heavy metals, is hardly volatile. It can exist without breaking down for a long time. It can be passed through food chain, absorbed and accumulated, reached a high concentration in some organisms, which includes many kinds of birds. The course of cadmium accumulation could influence the survival and development of bird individuals, population and community. In this study, Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica) were chosen as the research object to study the toxicity of cadmium on avian reproduction. The effect of cadmium on enzyme activities in testes, the influence of cadmium on histology and the content of testosterone, and the impact of cadmium on the weight and the weight coefficient of testes in quail were studied. The main contents and results were summarized as following:1. To study the influence of cadmium on the weight and the weight coefficient of testes in quailThe laying quails of control group and cadmium-exposure group were filled stomach on every other day with 0, 10, 20, 40mg/kg bw of cadmium over fourteen days. Six quails of each group were killed at the 7^th day and the 14^th day after cadmium exposure and they were weighed in, dissected and observed pathological changes. Their testes were collected and used in weight, counts weight coefficients of testes. Comparing with the control group, the cadmium exposed quails? weight and weight coefficients of testes were lower than it. That shows quail and its testis was severe scathe by cadmium.2. To study the influence of cadmium on the content of testosterone and the activity of LDH of serum in quailThe laying quails of control group and cadmium-exposure group were filled stomach on every other day with 0, 10, 20, 40mg/kg bw of cadmium over fourteen days. Six quails of each group were killed at the 7^th day and the 14^th day after cadmium exposure and they were weighed in. Blood was collected three ml. from heart in eppendorf tube and then centrifugaled colleted serum after two hours preserved in -20°C icebox. The sample content of testosterone in serum was detected in luwan underling hospital of shanghai ruijin hospital, and then detected LDH activities. The results showed that the content of testosterone was lower and LDH activities were higher in serum of cadmium-exposed quails, comparing with the control group. It indicated the function of cell synthesize and secrete testosterone have been damaged by cadmium, and lead to scathe testes. LDH of cell release to serum lead to its activities higher than before when the structure were scathed.3. To study the influence of cadmium on the content of MDA and the activity of antioxidant enzyme of testes in quailThe laying quails of control group and cadmium-exposure group were filled stomach on every other day with 0, 10, 20, 40mg/kg bw of cadmium over fourteen days. Six quails of each group were killed at the 7^th day and the 14^th day after cadmium exposure and they were weighed in. One side of testes was obtained, homogenized, and then detected the content of MDA and SOD, GSH-Px, CAT activities. Using 5% homogenized for detecting except GSH-Px which using 20% homogenized. The results showed that the content of MDA was higher and SOD, GSH-Px, CAT activities were lower in testes of cadmium-exposed quails, comparing with the control group. It indicated that cadmium lead to lipid peroxidation. With the enhancement of the effect of lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant activities were lower than before.4. To study the influence of cadmium on the structure of quails?testesThe laying quails of control group and cadmium-exposure group were filled stomach on every other day with 0, 10, 20, 40mg/kg bw of cadmium over fourteen days. Six quails of each group were killed at the 7^th day and the 14^th day after cadmium exposure and they were weighed in. One side of testes was obtained for Light microscopy. Using histology methods to investigate whether the structure of testes cells changes in cadmium exposed quails. Comparing with the control, in the cadmium exposed quails? testes cells putrescence, languish, separated and the amount and layer of cells reduced, seminiferous tubule atrophy. But haven(?) completely destroyed the function of cells, the cells still could struggle to sustain certain physiological activities.