| Abstract: | 6 mature male dogs were treated with .025 gm cadmium chloride in defibrinated pig blood for 10 consecutive days; 4 control dogs received the carrier only. Semen was collected by means of an artificial vagina and digital stimulation and a microscopic examination was performed immediately to estimate percent of motile spermatozoa and motility score. Histological examination of testicular tissue using a hematoxylin-eosin stain was made at the end of the experiment. The data were evaluated by analysis of variance. The health of the animals was not altered by cadmium ingestion. The potential fertility was not influenced either permanently or temporarily, spermatogenesis was normal, and there was no evidence of testicular atrophy. Greater doses may be more effective but problematic because of the emetic response. Enteric encapsulation may provide a means for administering larger and effective quantities orally in wild populations. |
