Distribution of Subcutaneously Injected Cadmium and Lead Among Tissues and Fetuses of Pregnant Mice: Their Effects on Iron and Zinc Levels

Authors: Özcan AY, Mustafa CANLI

Abstract: In this study, the accumulation of cadmium and lead in the tissues and fetuses of pregnant mice was investigated during the gestation period. Mice were subcuteneously injected with 25 µg Pb or Cd/kg, while control group mice were injected with isotonic solution, daily during the gestation period. Cadmium and lead concentrations in liver, kidney, spleen, muscle and brain tissue and in newborns (as whole) were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The levels of zinc and iron were also measured by the same method in the tissues and newborns of control and metal-injected mice. Concentrations of cadmium and lead in the tissues and newborns of cadmium and lead-injected mice increased multiply. The highest cadmium accumulation occurred in the liver, followed by the spleen, kidney, brain, muscles and newborns. The highest lead accumulation occurred in the spleen, followed by the brain, liver, kidney, muscles and newborns. The levels of essential metals, zinc and iron in the tissues or newborns were altered by cadmium and lead injections. Zinc levels in tissues other than the brain and in newborns significantly decreased, while iron levels in the tissues did not change significantly. However, the levels of iron in newborns increased significantly.

Keywords: Cadmium, Lead, Iron, Zinc, Mouse, Pregnant, Fetus, Accumulation