Abstract
A previous report indicated that progesterone pretreatment can markedly reduce cadmium (Cd) toxicity in male NAW mice. Therefore we examined the effects of progesterone pretreatment on Cd toxicity in male Fischer (F344) and Wistar (WF) rats. A single subcutaneous injection of 10 or 30 mumole (CdCl2)/kg proved nonlethal over 24 hr but caused the typical spectrum of testicular lesions in these rats. Moreover, when F344 rats were pretreated with progesterone (100 mg/kg, sc, at -48, -24, and 0 hr) and then given cadmium (20 mumole CdCl2/kg, 0 hr), this dose of cadmium proved very toxic, unexpectedly causing 53% mortality. Progesterone pretreatment had no effect on cadmium-induced lethality in WF rats or on testicular lesions in either strain. Significant elevations in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, indicative of hepatotoxicity, were also observed in progesterone-pretreated F344 rats given cadmium as compared to rats given Cd alone. Progesterone did not induce increases in hepatic or renal metallothionein (MT) and hepatic or testicular MT-I mRNA levels in F344 rats. In contrast, levels of the testicular cadmium-binding protein (TCBP) in progesterone-pretreated F344 rats were doubled. This increase in TCBP provided no protection against cadmium toxicity in the testes. These results indicate that, in contrast to previously reported data for mice, progesterone pretreatment increased the lethality of cadmium in male F344 rats and had no effect on cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in F344 and WF rats.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
