Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility
Cadmium is a heavy toxic metal with unknown biological functions in the human body. Over time, cadmium accretion in the different visceral organs (liver, lungs, kidney, and testis) is said to impair the function of these organs, which is associated with a relatively long biological half-life and a v...
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/22/3601 |
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| author | Waseem Ali Yonggang Ma Jiaqiao Zhu Hui Zou Zongping Liu |
| author_facet | Waseem Ali Yonggang Ma Jiaqiao Zhu Hui Zou Zongping Liu |
| author_sort | Waseem Ali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cadmium is a heavy toxic metal with unknown biological functions in the human body. Over time, cadmium accretion in the different visceral organs (liver, lungs, kidney, and testis) is said to impair the function of these organs, which is associated with a relatively long biological half-life and a very low rate of excretion. Recently studies have revealed that the testes are highly sensitive to cadmium. In this review, we discussed the adverse effect of cadmium on the development and biological functions of the testis. The Sertoli cells (SCs), seminiferous tubules, and Blood Testis Barrier are severely structurally damaged by cadmium, which results in sperm loss. The development and function of Leydig cells are hindered by cadmium, which also induces Leydig cell tumors. The testis’s vascular system is severely disturbed by cadmium. Cadmium also perturbs the function of somatic cells and germ cells through epigenetic regulation, giving rise to infertile or sub-fertile males. In addition, we also summarized the other findings related to cadmium-induced oxidative toxicity, apoptotic toxicity, and autophagic toxicity, along with their possible mechanisms in the testicular tissue of different animal species. Consequently, cadmium represents a high-risk factor for male fertility. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:25:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-61356d01ffa24ec98bf6e1afc5b5b28c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:25:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-61356d01ffa24ec98bf6e1afc5b5b28c2023-11-24T07:58:02ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092022-11-011122360110.3390/cells11223601Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male FertilityWaseem Ali0Yonggang Ma1Jiaqiao Zhu2Hui Zou3Zongping Liu4College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCadmium is a heavy toxic metal with unknown biological functions in the human body. Over time, cadmium accretion in the different visceral organs (liver, lungs, kidney, and testis) is said to impair the function of these organs, which is associated with a relatively long biological half-life and a very low rate of excretion. Recently studies have revealed that the testes are highly sensitive to cadmium. In this review, we discussed the adverse effect of cadmium on the development and biological functions of the testis. The Sertoli cells (SCs), seminiferous tubules, and Blood Testis Barrier are severely structurally damaged by cadmium, which results in sperm loss. The development and function of Leydig cells are hindered by cadmium, which also induces Leydig cell tumors. The testis’s vascular system is severely disturbed by cadmium. Cadmium also perturbs the function of somatic cells and germ cells through epigenetic regulation, giving rise to infertile or sub-fertile males. In addition, we also summarized the other findings related to cadmium-induced oxidative toxicity, apoptotic toxicity, and autophagic toxicity, along with their possible mechanisms in the testicular tissue of different animal species. Consequently, cadmium represents a high-risk factor for male fertility.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/22/3601cadmiumSertoli cellsLeydig cellstesticular toxicityinfertility |
| spellingShingle | Waseem Ali Yonggang Ma Jiaqiao Zhu Hui Zou Zongping Liu Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility Cells cadmium Sertoli cells Leydig cells testicular toxicity infertility |
| title | Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility |
| title_full | Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility |
| title_fullStr | Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility |
| title_short | Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility |
| title_sort | mechanisms of cadmium induced testicular injury a risk to male fertility |
| topic | cadmium Sertoli cells Leydig cells testicular toxicity infertility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/22/3601 |
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