Table 2.
Leydig cell absolute microstructural parameters obtained from the testis of control and exposed rats to four different Cd concentrations.
| Parameters | Control | Cd1 | Cd2 | Cd3 | Cd4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear diameter (μm) | 6.4 ± 0.2 | 5.88 ± 0.3 | 5.6 ± 0.9 | 5.5 ± 0.3∗ | 5.2 ± 0.3∗ |
| Nuclear volume (μm3) | 146.2 ± 20.6 | 121.1 ± 19.4 | 113.2 ± 26.2 | 108.3 ± 10.7 | 101.1 ± 9.1∗ |
| Cytoplasm volume (μm3) | 500.1 ± 105.1 | 394.6 ± 135.9 | 306.4 ± 108.1 | 268.2 ± 98.6∗ | 201.0 ± 150.3∗ |
| Cell volume (μm3) | 646.3 ± 103.5 | 515.7 ± 149.9 | 419.6 ± 132.3 | 376.5 ± 105.4∗ | 302.1 ± 152.4∗ |
| Cells per testis (×108) | 7.6 ± 2.2 | 10.8 ± 5.9 | 6.1 ± 3.6 | 8.4 ± 4.4 | 12.2 ± 4.7 |
| Cells per testis gram (×108) | 6.1 ± 3.0 | 11.9 ± 6.7 | 7.0 ± 3.2 | 7.3 ± 3.5 | 13.4 ± 5.9 |
| Nucleus/cytoplasm ratio | 21.4 ± 1.2 | 23.98 ± 5.3 | 28.5 ± 10.8 | 28.4 ± 11.3 | 31.7 ± 12.4 |
Control (CT): 0.9% saline; Cd1: 0.67 mg Cd/kg; Cd2: 0.74 mg Cd/kg; Cd3: 0.86 mg Cd/kg; and Cd4: 1.1 mg Cd/kg. Data are expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). Statistical difference (∗p < 0.05 versus CT).