Objective:To investigate the effect of the cadmium(Cd)on the expression of vimentin(V)& E-cadherin(E-cad)in Sertoli cell(Sc)and the ultrastructure of blood-testis barrier(BTB)in rats.Methods:21 SD male rats were randomly divided into Cd group(rats of different interval from 1 w to 4 w time were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1% CdCl2

1 mg/(kg·bw)

5 days a week)and control group(rats were intraperitoneally injected with equal dosage of normal saline);lanthanum nitrate(La)tracing group and Cd+La group.The testes were respectively studied by light

electron microscope and immunohistochemistry of V & E-cad and by semi-quanitatively image analysis.Results:The positive product of V was expressed in cytoplasm of Sc

and elongated radially to lumens in seminiferous tubules.But

the positive product of E-cad was localized mainly in cytoplasm of Sc and some spermatogenic cells.After Cd treatment

the average optical density(AOD) of V and E-cad were decreased obviously;the ultrastructure damage of BTB and ectoplasmic specializations(Es)in Sc were observed.The La-tracing showed that tight junction(TJ)of Sc was infiltrated by La in Cd+La group.Conclusion:Cd decreases the expression of V and E-cad in Sc and damages BTB of Sc in rats.