Toxic effects of cadmium on the developing rat lung. I. Altered pulmonary surfactant and the induction of respiratory distress syndrome

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287397909529807· OSTI ID:5462384

Daston, G P; Grabowski, C T

The effects of Cd on the growth of the fetal rat lung and the maturation of the pulmonary surfactant system were studied. Pregnant rats received sc injection of cadmium chloride on d 12 to 15 of gestation. Animals were sacrificed throughout late gestation. Fetal lungs were assayed for pulmonary surfactant lecithin and sphingomyelin. Some animals were allowed to give birth and the neonates were observed for symptoms of respiratory distress. The treatment resulted in high fetal mortality and growth retardation. Lung-body weight ratios were reduced by 20 to 30% in treated fetuses. Pulmonary sphingomyelin content was not affected by the Cd treatment. Lecithin, the most important surfactant component, was reduced in absolute quantity but not in lecithin-lung weight ratio on the last days of gestation. Parturition was delayed almost a full day by the Cd treatment, and birth weights were reduced. Of the treated neonates, 11% developed respiratory distress syndrome. All but one of these individuals died and had lungs with hyaline membranes. Prenatal exposure to Cd can (1) cause lung hypoplasia, (2) affect pulmonary surfactant, and (3) induce respiratory distress syndrome in term pups.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
• OSTI ID: 5462384
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 5:6; ISSN JTEHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CADMIUM
DATA
DATA FORMS
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FETUSES
GROWTH
INFORMATION
ISOLATED VALUES
LECITHINS
LIPIDS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
METALS
MORTALITY
NEONATES
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
QUANTITY RATIO
RATS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RODENTS
SPHINGOMYELINS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES