Effects of In-Utero Exposure to Cadmium on the Brain Biogenic Amine Levels and Tissue Metal Distribution in Rats

Abstract

The effects of cadmium in pups born to rats exposed, during the gestation period, to low levels of Cd (4.2 and 8.4μg Cd²⁺/ml drinking water) on the brain biogenic amines and tissue metal distribution were studied. A significant increase in 5-HT level in whole brain was observed at day 1 of age, while after 90 days of withdrawal of treatment, increases in striatal DA and cortical 5-HT were evident. Zn level registered an increase in brain but a decrease in liver. Cu level was reduced in all the three regions studied, viz., brain, liver and kidney, at day 1 of age while after 90 days of withdrawal of treatment the effect persisted in liver. Cd levels showed significant increase only at day 1 of age. Our current findings reveal that exposure to even low levels of Cd during the early develop-mental stages might result in long lasting biochemical alterations in the young ones and some of the changes may persist even upto the adult stage.