Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health

The free grazing habits of camels from various sources may cause heavy metals to bioaccumulate in their tissues and organs, possibly resulting in higher amounts of these toxic substances in their bodies over time. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure impact of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)...

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Main Authors: Saif Ullah, Wael Ennab, Quanwei Wei, Changfa Wang, Abdul Quddus, Sheeraz Mustafa, Tavakolikazerooni Hadi, Dagan Mao, Fangxiong Shi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/14/2302
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author Saif Ullah
Wael Ennab
Quanwei Wei
Changfa Wang
Abdul Quddus
Sheeraz Mustafa
Tavakolikazerooni Hadi
Dagan Mao
Fangxiong Shi
author_facet Saif Ullah
Wael Ennab
Quanwei Wei
Changfa Wang
Abdul Quddus
Sheeraz Mustafa
Tavakolikazerooni Hadi
Dagan Mao
Fangxiong Shi
author_sort Saif Ullah
collection DOAJ
description The free grazing habits of camels from various sources may cause heavy metals to bioaccumulate in their tissues and organs, possibly resulting in higher amounts of these toxic substances in their bodies over time. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure impact of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on bull camels of the Lassi breed, aged 7 to 8 years, at a site near the industrial area and another two non-industrial sites, to analyze the presence of heavy metals. Samples from three sites were collected from thirty camels (<i>n</i> = 10/each), soil and water (<i>n</i> = 30), and five different plants (<i>n</i> = 15/each) for analysis. Testes were collected for atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum samples were obtained to measure testosterone levels by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Samples were obtained from plants, soil, water, blood, serum and urine for AAS. According to the results, the testes’ weight, length, width, and volume significantly decreased at the industrial site compared with the other two sites as a result of exposure to Cd and Pb. Additionally, blood testosterone concentrations were considerably lower at the industrial site, indicating a detrimental impact on testicular steroidogenesis. The histological investigation of the industrial site indicated structural disturbances, including seminiferous tubule degeneration and shedding, cellular debris in seminiferous tubules, lining epithelium depletion, and vacuolation. Elevated amounts of Cd and Pb were found at the industrial site when analyzed using water, soil, plants, testes, serum, and urine. These findings demonstrate the adverse effects of Pb and Cd exposure on camel testicular function, including decreased weight and altered steroidogenesis. These findings are essential for understanding the impact of exposure to Pb and Cd on camel reproductive function and for developing successful prevention and management plans for these exposures in this species.
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spelling doaj.art-ed85c1b589234ad894076c663a6c1ad52023-11-18T18:00:25ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-07-011314230210.3390/ani13142302Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive HealthSaif Ullah0Wael Ennab1Quanwei Wei2Changfa Wang3Abdul Quddus4Sheeraz Mustafa5Tavakolikazerooni Hadi6Dagan Mao7Fangxiong Shi8College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaLiaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency, Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agronomy, Liaocheng 252000, ChinaFaculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal 90150, PakistanFaculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ziaddin University, Karachi 75000, PakistanCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaThe free grazing habits of camels from various sources may cause heavy metals to bioaccumulate in their tissues and organs, possibly resulting in higher amounts of these toxic substances in their bodies over time. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure impact of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on bull camels of the Lassi breed, aged 7 to 8 years, at a site near the industrial area and another two non-industrial sites, to analyze the presence of heavy metals. Samples from three sites were collected from thirty camels (<i>n</i> = 10/each), soil and water (<i>n</i> = 30), and five different plants (<i>n</i> = 15/each) for analysis. Testes were collected for atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum samples were obtained to measure testosterone levels by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Samples were obtained from plants, soil, water, blood, serum and urine for AAS. According to the results, the testes’ weight, length, width, and volume significantly decreased at the industrial site compared with the other two sites as a result of exposure to Cd and Pb. Additionally, blood testosterone concentrations were considerably lower at the industrial site, indicating a detrimental impact on testicular steroidogenesis. The histological investigation of the industrial site indicated structural disturbances, including seminiferous tubule degeneration and shedding, cellular debris in seminiferous tubules, lining epithelium depletion, and vacuolation. Elevated amounts of Cd and Pb were found at the industrial site when analyzed using water, soil, plants, testes, serum, and urine. These findings demonstrate the adverse effects of Pb and Cd exposure on camel testicular function, including decreased weight and altered steroidogenesis. These findings are essential for understanding the impact of exposure to Pb and Cd on camel reproductive function and for developing successful prevention and management plans for these exposures in this species.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/14/2302cadmiumleadcameltestestestosterone
spellingShingle Saif Ullah
Wael Ennab
Quanwei Wei
Changfa Wang
Abdul Quddus
Sheeraz Mustafa
Tavakolikazerooni Hadi
Dagan Mao
Fangxiong Shi
Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health
Animals
cadmium
lead
camel
testes
testosterone
title Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health
title_full Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health
title_fullStr Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health
title_short Impact of Cadmium and Lead Exposure on Camel Testicular Function: Environmental Contamination and Reproductive Health
title_sort impact of cadmium and lead exposure on camel testicular function environmental contamination and reproductive health
topic cadmium
lead
camel
testes
testosterone
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/14/2302
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