Influence of maternal cadmium exposure or fetal cadmium injection on hepatic metallothionein concentrations in the fetal rat

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(85)90087-0· OSTI ID:6252895

Sasser, L B; Kelman, B J; Levin, A A; Miller, R K

The ability of Cd to induce the synthesis of fetal hepatic metallothionein (MT) was investigated in rat fetuses exposed to Cd throughout gestation via the mother's drinking water or injected directly with Cd through the uterine wall on Day 18 of gestation. On Day 21 all dams were killed and fetal and maternal tissues were removed. Tissue MT, Zn, Cu, and Cd concentrations were measured. Fetal hepatic Cd concentration was increased only at the high maternal Cd exposure, whereas Zn concentration was significantly reduced by Cd exposure. Both fetal liver and kidney MT were reduced following maternal Cd exposure. Unlike maternal hepatic MT, fetal hepatic MT was not increased after maternal Cd exposure nor did the direct injection of Cd into the 18 days of gestation fetus induce fetal MT synthesis. These data suggest that fetal rat liver is incapable of synthesizing MT in response to Cd, possibly because Cd is not transported to the site of MT synthesis in the fetal system. Furthermore, neither the route of exposure, the duration of prenatal Cd exposure, nor the stage of gestation appear to account for the differences observed between fetal and adult hepatic MT induction by Cd. 47 references, 6 tables.

• Research Organization: Comparative Animal Research Lab., Oak Ridge, TN
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76OR00242
• OSTI ID: 6252895
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 80; ISSN TXAPA
• 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
BIOSYNTHESIS
BODY
CADMIUM
COPPER
DATA
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FETUSES
GLANDS
INFORMATION
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PREGNANCY
PROTEINS
RATS
RODENTS
SYNTHESIS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
ZINC