Original scientific paper
Biomarkers of heavy metal reproductive effects and interaction with essential elements in experimental studies on female rats
Martina Piasek
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Neala Schönwald
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Blanuša
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Krista Kostial
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
John W. Laskey
; National Health and Environmental Effect Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, U.S.A.
Abstract
Experimental studies in laboratories in Croatia and U.S.A. were conducted on female rats exposed to lead or cadmium to evaluate effects on the female reproductive integrity. The health condition of the offspring and relationship with essential elements were also evaluated. By using simple biomarkers of reproductive effects it was found that subchronic oral exposure to lead (1500-5500 ppm) or cadmium (50 ppm) during pregnancy and lactation decreased pup body weight, and that lead also decreased pup viability. Acute exposure to cadmium (3 or 5 mg/kg body weight s.c.) in vivo suppressed serum concentrations of progesterone and estradiol depending on the reproductive stage. Organ accumulations of lead or cadmium were accompanied by changes in the concentrations of iron and zinc in both mother and pups. Future research should focuss on the effects of metals on endocrine disruption in the ovary and placenta, and on concomitant interaction of toxic and essential metals in mother and offspring.
Keywords
cadmium; iron; lead; perinatal exposure; reproductive toxicity; steroid hormone concentrations; zinc
Hrčak ID:
144721
URI
Publication date:
18.12.1996.
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