Comparative toxicity of trivalent and hexavalent chromium to rabbits. III. Biochemical and histological changes in testicular tissue.

The administration of trivalent and hexavalent chromium compounds produced inhibition of the activity of succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase and acid phosphattase accompanied by cellular degeneration with complete absence of spermatocytes in the testis of rabbits. The biochemical and histological changes were more marked in the animals treated with the trivalent chromium than those exposed to hexavalent chromium and were progressive with the duration of exposure.