Effects of oral, subchronic cadmium administration on fertility, prenatal and postnatal progeny development in rats

Abstract

Cadmium chloride was administered by gavage to female rats 5 days a week for 5 weeks, then during mating and gestation periods at doses of 0.04, 0.4, and 4 mg Cd/kg/day. Treatment with cadmium neither affected the survival and fertility of females, nor produced overt fetotoxic effects. Fetal cadmium concentration was not related to the level of exposure. Litter size, body weight gain and viability of offspring during 2 months after parturition were similar in all groups. The exploratory locomotor activity of 2-month-old males and females born to rats given 0.4 and 4 mg Cd/kg/day was significantly reduced. The progeny of cadmium-treated females showed decreased performance in the rotarod test. In general, the degree of behavioral impairment was dose-related.

Sensorimotor developmental delays and lower anxiety in rats prenatally exposed to cadmium

“…Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated an embryotoxic action of Cd. In this respect, the metal may cross the placental barrier and it may directly affect fetal development (Levin and Miller, 1980;Baranski et al, 1983;Ali et al, 1986;Choudhuri et al, 1996). Acute Cd exposure in humans produces a disturbance of transplacental transport, impairment of fetal growth and a decrease in birth weight (WHO, 1992).…”

Toxicological benchmarks for wildlife: 1995 revision

“…Study durations extended fiom mating through gestation to up to 4 generations. Two studies report only experimental NOAELs (Baranski et al 1983, Webster 1978. Because these studies did not identify a LOAEL, they were considered inadequate for benchmark derivation.…”

“…A total of six studies were evaluated for the revision of the cadmium benchmark (Schroeder and Mitchner 1971, Baranski et al 1983, Webster 1978, Wills et al 1981, Machemer and Lorke 1981, and Sutou et al 1980a. Detailed summaries of the results of each stndy are listed in Appendix E. All studies considered reproductive effects to rats or mice following oral exposure to cadmium salts.…”

Toxicological Benchmarks for Wildlife

“…Study durations extended from mating through gestation to up to 4 generations. Two studies report only experimental NOAELs (Baranski et al 1983, Webster 1978. Because these studies did not identify a LOAEL, they were considered inadequate for benchmark derivation.…”

“…A total of six studies were evaluated for the revision of the cadmium benchmark (Schroeder and Mitchner 1971, Baranski et al 1983, Webster 1978, Wills et al 1981, Machemer and Lorke 1981, and Sutou et al 1980a. Detailed summaries of the results of each study are listed in Appendix E. All studies considered reproductive effects to rats or mice following oral exposure to cadmium salts.…”