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Cadmium in Seminal Plasma of Fertile and Infertile Male Dromedary Camels

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the cadmium (Cd) profile in seminal plasma of male dromedary camel with impotentia generandi (post-coital infertility, IG group, n = 14) in comparison with known fertile males (FERT group, n = 5). Andrological examination was carried out for all animals. Semen was collected with electroejaculation and examined for volume, concentration, motility, viability, and abnormality. Seminal fluid was harvested after centrifugation and analyzed for Cd using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that sperm concentration, motility, and viability were higher, while sperm abnormality was lower in IG group than in FERT group (P < 0.05). Cd was higher in seminal plasma of IG group than in FERT group (P = 0.04). Negative correlation was found between Cd concentration and sperm concentration (r = − 0.511, P = 0.04). There was also a tendency for negative correlation between Cd concentration and the testicular size (r = − 0.455, P = 0.05). In conclusion, Cd may be one of factors causing infertility in male dromedary camels.

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Funding

This study was financially supported by the Deanship of Research of Qassim University, Kingdome of Saudi Arabia.

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Correspondence to Ahmed Ali.

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This study was approved by the Animal Care and Welfare Committee, Deanship of Scientific Research, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Ali, A., Derar, D.R., Abdel-Elmoniem, E.M. et al. Cadmium in Seminal Plasma of Fertile and Infertile Male Dromedary Camels. Biol Trace Elem Res 193, 162–165 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01688-5

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