Effect of cadmium chloride on testis and seminal vesicular fructose contents of shrew (Suncus murinus anderson), gerbil (Meriones hurrianae jerdon) and hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus collaris).

A single subcutaneous injection of cadmium chloride (0.04 m mol/kg body weight) did not cause any change in the macroscopic and microscopic features of testes and caput epididymis of Suncus. Testes and sex accessory glands did not show any significant change in their weights. Seminal vesicular fructose concentration remains unchanged. The tetes and sex accessory organs of gerbil under comparable condition showed significant weight loss and shrinkage in tubule diameter. The seminiferous epithelium was totally destroyed. A single intratesticular injection of CdCl2 (0.5 mg/kg body weight) in hedgehog resulted in testicular necrosis. The small temperature difference between cremaster sac and rectum, absence of testicular artery and pampiniform plexus and insuficient concentration of cadmium within the testis when administered subcutaneously may be responsible for insensitivity of Suncus testes to cadmium.