抄録
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.
