Distribution of cadmium and its influence on the growth of offspring after an experimental application to female rabbits

Abstract
Distribution of Cadmium in the ovaries, uterus, liver and kidneys of female rabbits and its influence on the growth of offspring after an application to their mothers, before pregnancy, was studied. In the control group the levels of Cadmium ranged from 0.0325 mg.kg‐1 in ovaries to 0.4575 mg.kg‐1 in kidneys. After a single i.p. administration we found that the highest concentration was in the liver (41.313 mg.kg‐1), then the kidneys, ovaries, and uterus. After daily p.o. application, during 5 months, the highest concentration 24 hours after cessation of administration, was found in the kidneys (53.898 mg.kg‐1), then in the liver, ovaries and uterus. After 5 months of application and 7 months without application (1 year experiment) the levels of Cadmium in the studied organs reduced from 48 to 72 % only in the uterus the level of Cadmium increased to 50 %. Interestingly relatively high concentrations of Cadmium in the ovaries and uterus were found in our experiments. A significant decrease of weight of offspring in all studied periods (1‐st, 21‐st and 42‐nd) after chronic administration of cadmium to their mothers was found.