Comparative evaluation of sterilizing potential of intratesticular chemosterilants in male albino rats

Objective: To investigate the sterilizing potential of zinc gluconate, calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) and cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 ) following a single intratesticular administration in adult male rats. Methods: 60 adult male Wistar albino rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) weighing 160-200 g and aged 5-6 months randomly received a single intratesticular injection of normal saline (Group A), zinc gluconate 13.3 mg/mL plus L -Arginine (Group B), 20% CaCl 2 (Group C), and CdCl 2 0.5 mg/kg body weight plus ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (Group D), respectively, along the entire route from the caudoventral aspect of each testis. They were euthanized up to 180 days to evaluate reproductive tract toxicology. Results: The reproductive organ weights were markedly reduced, with testes severely atrophied in group B, pea-sized and stony hard in group C, and moderately reduced in group D. Azoospermia was evident in groups B and C, while sperm concentration was reduced to