Studies On The Effect Of Cadmium Chloride On The Gonads Of The Developing Chick Embryos

Abstract

Cadmium chloride was injected in doses of 5, 10, 15 and 20 /xg/egg into the yolk sac of 4—day—old chick embryos. Mortality due to cadmium intaxication increased with dose increase. The mortality rate of chick embryos injected with 10 j".g/egg cadium chloride increased gradually for 6 days post injection and then decreased significantly. The gonads of surviving embryos were smaller and possessed fewer primordial germ cells than those of control embryos. Testicular destruction, especially the primordial germ cells, was associated with abundant inter—tubular connective tissue. Extensive cortical damage of the ovary included primordial germ cells and oogonia. Recovery of most destructed parts of the ovary took place within 10 days following cadium injection.