THE SUBACUTE EFFECTS OF CADMIUM ON SEX HORMONES IN FEMALE RATS

Toxic effects of trace elements upon the hypothalamic- pituitarytesticular axis and sex hormones have been reported in recent years. It is generally considered that CdCl2 poisoning causes histopathological changes in the testicles of male rats. Little attention had been drawn to the possible toxic effects of CdCl2 on the ovary and female sex hormones. The purpose of the present study was to determine the subacute poisoning effects of CdCl2 (10 mg/kg I.P. for 15 days) on the female gonadotropins and sex hormones such as FSH, LH, progestrone, estradiol and prolactin. Female wi star rats 12 weeks of age (approximately 300g) were divided into two groups (10 in each group), one group received CdCl2 and the other received saline as a control. Serum hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay. In contrast to male animals, CdCl2 injection did not affect serum FSH and LH concentration in female rats, whereas serum prolactin concentration was significantly elevated compared with that of control animals (p<0.05) after CdCl2 injection. This effect is not similar to the effect of CdCl2 on the prolactin of male rats which was reported by Chandler and coworkers. No marked differences were observed between the control and experimental values of serum estradiol and progestrone concentrations.