Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal of considerable toxicity with destructive impact on most organs. Our previous results and numerous reports demonstrate that Cd induces complete degeneration of the seminiferous tubules with severe depletion of germ cells and spermatogenesis arrest. So far, there are no effective antidotes for treatment of Cd poisoning. In our study, we present the effect of polyether ionophorous antibiotic salinomycin on some quantitative parameters of spermatogenesis in Cd-intoxicated mice.
The experimental animals were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1 consisted of untreated control mice receiving distilled water for 28 days; Group 2 (toxic control group) - received Cd(II) acetate orally at a daily dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of distilled water; Group 3 consisted of mice exposed to Cd(II) acetate for 2 weeks, as described for group 2, and subsequently treated with an average daily dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. of tetraethylammonium salt of salinomycinic acid for 2 weeks; Group 4 consisted of mice who received distilled water for 2 weeks and were subsequently treated with an average daily dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. of tetraethylammonium salt of salinomycinic acid for 2 weeks. All compounds were dissolved and received in the drinking (distilled) water. Animals and testes were weighed to calculate testicular index (testicular weight/body weight ratio). Spermatozoa were isolated from both vasa deferentia and counted.
We found statistically significant increase of the testicular index in Group 4 (salinomycin alone) compared to the Cd-intoxicated group as well as to the control. Sperm count significantly increased (87%) after salinomycin administration to Cd-intoxicated animals. These positive effects correspond to our data for restoration of morphology in other organs of Cd-intoxicated mice and demonstrate the potential application of salinomycin as an antidote for the treatment of Cd-poisoning.
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