Concentrations of cadmium in ovary, oviductus, uterus, testis and tunica albuginea of testis in cattle

Summary

In this study, the concentrations of cadmium in ovaries, oviducts, uteri, testes, and tunica albuginea of testes of cattle (6 cows, 10 bulls) are reported. The detecting limit of the cadmium concentration was 0.01 mg.kg^‐1 of wet tissue.

The cadmium content in ovaries was in the range from <0.01 to 0.02 mg.kg^‐1. In three cases, the concentration was under 0.01 mg.kg^‐1. The highest levels were observed in oviducts (0.02 ‐ 0.07 mg.kg^‐1). Concentrations of cadmium in the uteri were from <0.01 (two cases) to 0.05 mg.kg^‐1.

In male reproductive organs, the cadmium content was lower than in the female reproductive organs. In all samples of testes, the concentration was under the detecting limit 0.01 mg.kg^‐1. The level of cadmium in the tunica albuginea was only in one case 0.01 mg.kg^‐1 and in the others the concentration was under this limit.

Key words:

• cadmium
• ovary
• oviductus
• uterus
• testis
• tunica albuginea