Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: To study testis index and mtATPase6 and D-Loop point mutations of mice testicle after exposure to cadmium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 male mice were divided into 4 groups with 10 animals per group (weight:19.5±2.5 g).3 groups were treated with intraperitoneal cadmium chloride of 1,5,10 μmol/kg,once every 2 days,10 times in total,and one normal saline control group. After exposure to cadmium chloride for 20 days, we determined the testis index. The mtATPase6 and D-Loop genes were amplified by PCR from the genomic DNA of mice testicle tissue, with their mutant sites sequenced. RESULTS: The testis index of mice in the 10 μmol/kg cadmium chloride group were lower than that of the control group(P<0.01). No mtATPase6 or D-Loop mutation was found in the murine spermatogenic cells. CONCLUSION: Mice testis index was lower by 10 μmol/kg cadmium chloride. But cadmium chloride couldn't induce mtATPase6 and D-Loop mutations in the mice testicle. Testis index and mtATPase6 and D-Loop point mutations did not seem to be related.

Key words: cadmium chloride, testis index, ATPase6, D-Loop, mice