Cadmium, lead and endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have been demonstrated to exert endocrine disrupting activities. Their possible role in endometriosis, an oestrogen-dependent disease, is unknown.


METHODS
We compared cadmium urinary excretion (CdU) and blood concentration of cadmium (CdB) and lead (PbB) in 119 patients with peritoneal endometriosis and/or deep endometriotic (adenomyotic) nodules of the rectovaginal septum and 25 controls.


RESULTS
The mean levels of cadmium in urine and blood did not differ among the groups. Women suffering from endometriotic diseases showed lower levels of PbB than controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These data do not support a role for cadmium in the onset or the growth of endometriotic diseases but suggest a possible relationship with lead.
Heilier
J F
JF
Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique de Louvain, 30.54 Clos Chapelle aux Champs, 1200, Brussels, Belgium. jean-francois.heilier@toxi.ucl.ac.be
Donnez
J
J
Verougstraete
V
V
Donnez
O
O
Grandjean
F
F
Haufroid
V
V
Nackers
F
F
Lison
D
D