The acute vascular effects of cadmium in the testis do not require the presence of Leydig cells.

In order to test the hypothesis that Leydig cells are required for the acute toxic effect of cadmium on the testis, adult male rats were treated with the Leydig cell toxin ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS). Four days later, when all Leydig cells are removed from the testis, the EDS treated and control rats were given a single injection of CdCl2. Cadmium treatment resulted in a major increase in vascular permeability in both groups, showing that Leydig cells and their secretory products can probably not explain the particular testicular sensitivity to cadmium.