STERILIZATION OF MALES BY INTRATESTICULAR ADMINISTRATION OF CADMIUM CHLORIDE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Administration of CdCl2 directly into the rat testis causes acute and irreversible destruction of the germinal epithelium. The interstitial portion regenerates after an initial phase of atrophy. The minimum effective dose of the salt (150 μg/kg) by this route is about 1/16th of the minimum dose needed to evoke these changes when administered subcutaneously. These effects are restricted to the testis to which CdCl2 is injected; the contralateral one remains unaffected. The testicular changes are specific to Cd as ZnCl2 (50-200 μg/kg) administered in a similar manner, does not influence the testis. Degenerative changes similar in nature and extent to rats, are seen in the testis of rabbits, goats and rhesus monkeys after direct injection. The testis of rabbits seems to be resistant to CdCl2 when administered by the subcutaneous route.