LONG-TERM ORAL CADMIUM PRODUCES BONE-MARROW HYPOPLASIA IN MICE

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (3) , 229-234
Abstract
Marrow hypoplasia is described in CBA/H mice that drank water containing 300 mg/l CdCl for 12 mo. This was characterized by a significant reduction of the totipotent stem cells (CFU-s), granulocyte-monocyte progenitor cells (GM-CFUc), and erythroid progenitor cells (CFR-e). The bone marrow cellularity and the proliferative capacity of GM-CFRc in vitro were decreased. The animals reflected these marrow alterations by demonstrating an anemia with reticulocytopenia and neutropenia. They did not show increased mortality or increased susceptibility to infections; however, their body weight was significantly reduced. Fe deficiency was demonstrated in the Cd-treated mice. The animals had a hypochromia of the peripheral red cells and diminished marrow Fe stores. The anemia of Cd toxicity is probably the combined result of bone marrow hypoplasia and Fe deficiency.