Effects of cadmium on survival and morphology of cultured rat Sertoli cells.

The toxicity of different metals on isolated Sertoli cells grown in culture has been investigated. Methyl mercury (CH3HgCl) and mercury chloride (HgCl2) were more toxic than cadmium (CdCl2) which was slightly more toxic than arsenic (As2O3). Isolated peritubular cells and Sertoli cells were equally sensitive to cadmium. Cadmium reduced the Sertoli cell survival over the concentration range of 1--10 microM. Freeze-etch electron microscopy of cadmium-exposed Sertoli cells revealed circular areas of average diameter 500 nm devoid of intramembrane particles in the nuclear membrane, and general signs of degeneration such as vesiculation of the plasma membrane and intramembrane particle aggregation. However, cadmium did not dissolve junctional complexes between Sertoli cells. Isolated Sertoli cells were protected against cadmium-induced damage when the cells were preincubated for 48 h with selenium, zinc or low doses of cadmium. Preincubation with cobalt, FSH, testosterone or oestradiol did not protect against cadmium-induced damage. Cadmium bound to metallothionein had no toxic effects on isolated Sertoli cells.