title: Maternal-fetal distribution of cadmium in the guinea pig following a low dose inhalation exposure.
abstract: Pregnant guinea pigs in their last trimester of gestation were exposed by inhalation to cadmium (Cd) chloride level (50 microg/m3 Cd) for 1 and 5 days. Cd content was evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Maternal blood Cd concentration increased by 127 and 223% of control for 1 and 5 days of exposure. Maternal lung Cd concentration increased significantly by 11.66- and by 48.24-fold after 1 and 5 days of treatment, while maternal liver showed an increase of 188 and 227% for 1 and 5 days of exposure. Also, fetal Cd concentration significantly increased in brain (156 and 192%), liver (159 and 174%) and heart (201 and 157%) after 1 and 5 days of exposure, compared to unexposed females. Placental calcium content decreased significantly by 16% of control after 5 days of exposure. These results suggest that low-level inhalation of Cd may pass through the guinea pig placenta and accumulate in fetal brain, liver and heart.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche en Toxicologie de l'Environnement, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Bertin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trottier
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Athot
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ricard
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lafond
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein; D002118:Calcium