engleski

Cadmium, iron and zinc interaction in mother rats and the offspring: does it change if exposure starts at the beginning of gestation or earlier?

The gastrointestinal absorption of Cd in rats is estimated at 0.3% to 3%, which increases during gestation. Cadmium accumulates in internal organs and placenta where it can interact with essential elements. We exposed rats (Wistar) to 50 mg Cd/L in drinking water during gestation days 1-20 or 4 weeks before and during gestation and evaluated Cd, Fe and Zn concentrations in mother rats and their offspring after exposure termination. The elements were analysed by electrothermal (Cd) or flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Fe and Zn). Cadmium increased in maternal liver and kidney, placentas, foetuses and newborn pups’ liver, kidney and brain. Iron decreased in maternal liver and kidney, foetuses and newborn pups’ liver, kidney and brain. Zinc increased in maternal liver and was reduced in maternal kidney and placenta only after the 20-day exposure during gestation. Irrespective of the beginning of maternal exposure, prenatal Cd exposure induces biochemical changes of Fe and Zn in maternal internal organs and additionally disrupts the transplacental transfer of Fe to the offspring.

cadmium; iron; zinc; prenatal exposure; foetus; placenta; newborn rat pup

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