Studies of Zn, Mg, Cu, Ca and Fe in cadmium poisoned toads before and after treatment with EDTA.

Zn, Mg, Cu, Ca and Fe were determined spectrophotometrically in liver, kidneys, muscle, spleen and blood of Bufo regularis after a single i.m. injection of 6.2 mg Cd/kg (which represents the 96 hr LD50) alone or in combination with 40 mg EDTA/kg (the minimal EDTA concentration causing 100% survival over that period). Cadmium administration caused recognizable effects on the essential metals levels in different tissues and organs. In the majority of the tissues and organs studied, zinc and copper concentrations returned to their normal ranges in animals that received both cadmium and EDTA. In contrast, magnesium, calcium and iron contents not only returned back to their control values but also exceeded them.