The susceptibility of inbred strains of hamsters to cadmium‐induced embryotoxicity

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Abstract
Prior research has involved several aspects of cadmium-induced embryotoxicity in non-inbred hamsters, mice, and rats. This study compares the embryotoxic profile of cadmium in one non-inbred (LVG) and five inbred (CB, LHC, LSH, MHA, PD4) strains of hamsters. A single IV dose (2 mg/kg) of cadmium sulfate was injected into pregnant hamsters early on the 8th gestation day. Fifteenth gestation day fetuses from treated, and control animals were studied for the kinds and incidence of external, internal, and skeletal malformations, as well as the frequency of resorptions. All six hamster strains developed significant resorption rates and external, internal, and skeletal abnormalities, e.g., exencephaly, microphthalmia, cleft lip, cleft palate, renal agenesis, rib fusions, etc. Significant interstrain differences were detected in only three categories of embryonic damage, i.e., resorptions, microphthalmia, and renal agenesis. The data of this study was compared with that of another study in which the same hamster strains were exposed to the metallic teratogen, lead. While the manner by which cadmium damages the mammalian embryo is unknown at this time, several possibilities are presented.