Histopathological Features of the Ovaries, Physical and Behavourial Patterns Following Administration of Cadmium Wister Rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is an environmental pollutant, toxic to humans and animals. Cadmium toxicity affects tissues including reproductive system causing infertility. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cadmium on behavior and ovaries of Wister rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups - A and B, each of 5 Wister rats were studied at the Laboratory of Anatomy Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria. Following acclimatization, rats in group A (control) were weighed and administered distilled water and laboratory chow while rats in group B were administered 50mg per kg of Cadmium Chloride. Both groups were fed daily, and monitored weekly (for weight and behavior over seven weeks). Following final weighing, the rats were sacrificed and the ovaries harvested and prepared for histology, carried out with photomicrography. Data analysis employed SPSS version 25, comparism of variables employed T dependent test with p <0.05 considered significant.. RESULTS: Rats in group A showed significant weight gain, 144. 407±07 vs. 167.107 ±87 (P=0.009) between initial and final measurement. They also showed normal behavioral pattern, then rats in group B showed significant weight loss, 201.405±48 vs. 163.801±78 (P=0.04) and severely abnormal behavior. Ovarian sections in group A were normal while sections in group B showed degenerated follicles, absence of secondary ovarian follicles and presence of multiple cysts. CONCLUSION: Cadmium toxicity manifested as abnormal behavior and pathological ovarian changes in rats administered cadmium chloride. Cadmium toxicity is linked to human reproduction particularly polycystic ovary syndrome, and infertility. Further studies on effect of cadmium on steroidogenesis and counter effect of some antioxidants on cadmium toxicity are recommended