[The effect of cadmium on the body under conditions of various protein content in the diet].

A study was made of the effect produced by cadmium on the body under the conditions of different protein content in the diet. Experiments made on white rats lasted 6 months. There were one control and 3 experimental groups kept on isocaloric semi-synthetic diets which differed only in the protein content. The optimal diet contained 18 percent of protein, the excess one 30 percent, and the deficient one 5 percent. All the experimental animals received 100 micrograms/kg cadmium chloride with the diet on a daily basis, which provoked cadmium intoxication. In the course of experiments, the animals were examined for the general health status and body weight, for the general health status and body weight, for renal, liver and spermatozoal functions as well as for cadmium metabolism. The kidneys, liver and testes were subjected to pathomorphologic studies. The data obtained allow the conclusion that both elevated and deficient protein content in the diet produces an unfavourable effect on cadmium intoxication. The diet that is balanced according to protein promoted the decrease of the toxic effect of cadmium on the body.