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Toxicological effects of cadmium during pregnancy in Wistar albino rats

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Abstract

Cadmium is a heavy metal and widespread environmental toxicant. This study investigated the effects of prenatal Cd exposure on fetal growth and limb development in rats. Pregnant rats were given 0, 4 or 8 mg/kg/day (equivalent to ≈ 0, 30 or 60 ppm) of cadmium as CdSO4 in their drinking water from conception to gestation day 20. Cd significantly (p<0.001) and dose-dependently inhibited maternal weight gain and caused abortion of pregnancy. In addition, Cd significantly (p<0.001) decreased fetal body weight, forelimb and hindlimb bone lengths, compared to controls. These effects were sex-dependent, greater in the female offspring. Furthermore, there were reductions in the weights, and alterations in the histology of maternal placenta, ovary and liver of Cd-exposed rats. The results indicate that cadmium will cause abortion of pregnancy and sex-dependent impairment of fetal growth and limb development, which may be consequent upon alterations in ovarian and placental functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    Jonah Sydney Aprioku

  2. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    Barikpoar Ebenezer

  3. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    Maxwell Azubuike Ijomah

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  1. Jonah Sydney Aprioku
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  2. Barikpoar Ebenezer
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  3. Maxwell Azubuike Ijomah
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Correspondence to Jonah Sydney Aprioku.

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Aprioku, J.S., Ebenezer, B. & Ijomah, M.A. Toxicological effects of cadmium during pregnancy in Wistar albino rats. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 6, 16–24 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-014-0183-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-014-0183-z

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