Effect of cadmium on the bone formation in cultured fetal rat calvaria

Abstract
To clarify the toxic effect of Cadmium (Cd) on bone, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, which is an osteoblastic marker produced during bone formation, and DNA synthesis were examined in cultures of 21‐day old fetal rat calvaria. Both ALP activity and DNA synthesis were decreased by Cd. Probably Cd affected some stage of mineralization or cell differentiation in bone formation of calvaria. Zn coexisting in the culture medium prevented the inhibitory effect of Cd on ALP activity and DNA synthesis.