Experimental studies on reproductive and perinatal effects of lead and cadmium

Abstract

Lead is a known reproductive toxicant in humans and animals. Data on cadmium reproductive effects in humans are inconclusive, and in female animals are lacking. More information on the toxicokinetics and toxicity of Pb and Cd during the reproductive period and in developing young is needed. Experimental studies on rats conducted in laboratories in Croatia and in the USA separately and as collaborative research show that Pb or Cd have effects on reproductive function. Chronic or subchronic oral Pb or Cd exposure of the dams causes decreased pup weight and survival, and depressed serum progesterone concentration in Cd‐exposed dams at the term. No paternally mediated Pb effects were found in offspring. Organ Pb or Cd accumulation was accompanied by changes in essential element concentrations in both dam and foetus. Acute in vivo and in vitro exposure to Cd had specific effects on gonadal steroidogenesis in both males and females. Proposes possible sites of action of Cd in the steroidogenic pathway.

Endocrine Disruption by Cadmium, a Common Environmental Toxicant with Paradoxical Effects on Reproduction

“…It is interesting to note, therefore, that maternal exposure to high levels of environmental Cd 2 + led to a significant increase in the incidence of premature delivery in the Jinzu River basin in Japan, where itai-itai disease, the most severe manifestation of chronic Cd 2 + poisoning is still reported (13). Indeed, older women with higher body burdens of the metal are at a greater risk for placental Cd 2 + accumulation and subsequent adverse pregnancy effects, as maternal reserves may accumulate in placenta during pregnancy (16). Therefore, in a study investigating Cd 2 + levels in maternal, umbilical cord, and newborn's blood following environmental exposure, maternal and newborn blood Cd 2 + levels were not correlated with one another, while cord levels (as an index of placental burden) were highly correlated with maternal Cd 2 + concentrations, which were significantly elevated in smoking mothers (19).…”

“…Specifically, human exposure to the metal is associated with increased incidences of renal disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and leukemia, as well as cancers of the lung, kidney, urinary bladder, pancreas, breast, and prostate (11). The practically ubiquitous nature of Cd 2 + and its deleterious effects on human health makes it a serious problem of worldwide scope and has lead, therefore, to numerous patient-based investigations by biomedical researchers throughout Asia (11-13), the Middle East (14), Australia (15), Europe (3,(7)(8)(9)16), and the Americas (17)(18)(19).…”

Changes in serum parameters associated with iron metabolism in male rat exposed to lead

“…For many years, the toxicity of Pb 2+ in humans and animals has been demonstrated frequently [13,35,40,44]. It is now well documented that Pb 2+ may easily enter the body via several routes and causes many disturbances; amongst them, anemia is one of the most prevalent diseases, which may occur following Pb 2+ toxicity [15,37].…”