Objective: To investigate the effects of cadmium and the protection of testosterone propionate on submandibular gland of male rats.Methods:Thirty-five male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control

Cd and Cd + T group.The cadmium concentrations in submandibular gland were measured by flame mode of atomic absorption spectrophotometry.The morphologic changes of GCT cells were observeded by transmission electron microscopy.The expression of AR was determined by immunohistochemical SABC method and was semi-quantitatively analysed by image analysis.Results:The main ultrastructural changes after Cd treatment included swelling or vacuolation of mitochondria

increase of myelin figures in GCT cells

and swelling of mitochondria in the endothelial cells of peritubular capillaries.The changes above were most prominent at 7~15d

and swelling of the cytoplasm and slight karyolysis were also found.The morphology of GCT cells didn’t recovery to normal yet after 30d.On the other hand

the ultrastructural lesions of GCT cells in Cd+T group were gentle.Compared with the control group

the cadmium concentrations in both Cd and Cd+T groups were significantly increased.Although they were lower in Cd+T group than that in Cd group

there was no significant difference between the two groups.The immunoreactivity level of AR in Cd and Cd+T groups decreased after Cd treatment

but it was higher in Cd+T group than that in corresponding Cd group

and had significant difference between them at 3

7

15d.Conclusions: The present results indicate that the earlier ultrastructural damage of GCT is related to the direct action of cadmium.The decrease of androgen and androgen receptor might aggravate the damage at later stages.To some extent

testosterone pretreatment could prevent toxicity of cadmium on submandibular gland.