Protective action of zinc against cobalt-induced testicular damage in the mouse.

The purpose of this study was to determine if toxic effects of cobalt on the murine testis could be prevented by zinc, an essential metal for spermatogenesis. CD-1 male mice were administered one of the following in their drinking water: 1) 400 ppm CoCl2, 2) 800 ppm ZnCl2, 3) 400 ppm CoCl2 + 800 ppm ZnCl2, or 4) distilled water. After 13 weeks, animals were sacrificed and testes were excised, weighed, and processed for histologic study.