Effect of oral cadmium administration to female rats before and/or during pregnancy on the metallothionein level in the fetal liver

Cadmium Interaction with Essential Metals (Zn, Cu, Fe), Metabolism Metallothionein, and Ceruloplasmin in Pregnant Rats and Fetuses

“…Acute and chronic exposure of pregnant animals to cadmium throughout pregnancy is known to decrease the fetal concentration of zinc, copper, and iron (Martin et al, 1978;Petering, 1978;Sowa et al, 1982;Sowa and Steibert, 1985). In previous results the hepatic and whole fetal zinc, copper, and iron contents appeared to be a reliable index of the maternal exposure to a low level of oral cadmium (Sowa and Steibert, 1985).…”

“…Previous works (Sowa et al, 1982;Sowa and Chmielnicka, 1996) revealed that Zn accumulation in fetal livers (FL) is strictly connected with MT synthesis but Cu content in FL is rather dependent on ceruloplasmin (Cp) activity in dam serum.…”

“…Gestational exposure to oral cadmium resulted in decreased zinc, copper, iron, and metallothionein (MT) content in fetal liver as well as in reduced copper content in the placenta and fetal intestine (Sowa et al, 1982;Steibert et al, 1984;Sowa and Steibert, 1985).…”

Restriction of Cadmium Transfer to Eggs From Laying Hens Exposed to Cadmium

“…The transfer of Cd from the maternal to the embryonic environment during d 8-10 of pregnancy is restricted in mice (Dencker et al, 1983). Several studies have indicated that Cd i s hardly detected in the animal fetus, but accumulates in the placenta after maternal exposure to Cd (Ahokas & Dilts, 1979;Sowa et al, 1982;Lucis et al, 1972).…”

“…Cd accumulation in embryos and .fetuses i s generally limited to development after maternal exposure to Cd (Ahokas & Dilts, 1979;Sowa et al, 1982). The transfer of Cd from the maternal to the embryonic environment during d 8-10 of pregnancy is restricted in mice (Dencker et al, 1983).…”