Effect of cadmium on androgen level and oxidoreductive enzymes activity in cultured leydig cells of KP and CBA mice.

Androgen level and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and NADP-diaphorase was studied in cultured Leydig cells obtained from testes of male mice from inbred strains KP and CBA following a single injection of cadmium chloride. Mice from CBA strain, known to be resistant to the toxic effects of cadmium showed no differences in the enzyme activity and endocrine function of gonads, as compared with control animals. In KP mice, sensitive to cadmium, a marked decrease of activity of all studied dehydrogenases, as well as a fall of androgen level was observed following cadmium administration. The decrease of hormone secretion occurred on the 2nd day of tissue culture and showed a correlation with the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.