Comparison of urinary creatine with other biomarkers for detection of cadmium induced testicular damage.

In this study, biomarkers of testicular damage were compared. In particular, urinary creatine was evaluated as a non-invasive marker of damage. Male rats were exposed to various doses of cadmium chloride, an established testicular toxicant. Pathological damage, testes weights, urinary creatine and creatinine, serum LDH-C4 and serum testosterone were determined. Cadmium chloride caused dose-dependent damage to the testes undetectable at the lowest dose (0.75 mg kg-1) but apparent at a dose of 1.125 mg kg-1. Urinary creatine was significantly raised after doses of 1.125 mg kg-1 and above 24-48 hr after dosing, and at the highest dose within 24 hr after dosing. Testes weight and serum testosterone were significantly decreased, and LDH-C4 significantly increased, at the highest dose (3.0 mg kg-l). Therefore urinary creatine was the most sensitive marker of acute cadmium-induced testicular damage and dysfunction.