Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151, Lodz, Poland.
Department of Pathology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2018 Oct;25(28):28025-28038. doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-2821-5. Epub 2018 Jul 31.
Cadmium (Cd) is regarded as a potential endocrine disruptor. However, the exact mechanism by which this metal may interfere with the reproductive system has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of subacute Cd oral administration at daily doses of 0.09, 1.8, and 4.5 mgCd/kg b.w. and the impact of Cd on sex hormones (estradiol (E) and progesterone (P)) in the plasma and uterus, as well as on estrous cyclicity and histopathological changes in uterine and ovary in female rats after terminating the exposure and after a prolonged observation period (3 months). Moreover, Cd bioaccumulation in the uterine and brain tissue of rats was analyzed. The study revealed that oral Cd exposure induced changes in the plasma levels of steroid hormones: decrease in E and increase in P after the highest dose of Cd. Probably, for the first time, it was evidenced that circulation sex hormone disturbances in Cd-exposed rats caused irregular estrous cycle, persisting for 3 months after exposure termination; no alterations in these hormone levels in uterine tissue were noted. Cd did not induce estradiol-like hyperplasia of endometrium, but resulted in endometrial edema irrespective of the dose, and caused damage of the ovaries after the highest dose. In summary, subacute oral exposure of female rats to Cd may lead to long-term disturbances in reproductive system.
镉 (Cd) 被认为是一种潜在的内分泌干扰物。然而，这种金属如何干扰生殖系统的确切机制尚未阐明。本研究旨在探讨亚急性口服 Cd（剂量分别为 0.09、1.8 和 4.5mgCd/kg bw）对雌性大鼠血浆和子宫中性激素（雌二醇 (E) 和孕酮 (P)) 的影响，以及终止暴露后和延长观察期（3 个月）后 Cd 对发情周期和子宫和卵巢组织学变化的影响。此外，还分析了大鼠子宫和脑组织中 Cd 的生物积累情况。研究表明，口服 Cd 暴露会改变血浆中类固醇激素的水平：在最高剂量 Cd 处理后，E 降低，P 升高。可能首次证明，暴露于 Cd 的大鼠循环性激素紊乱导致发情周期不规则，在暴露终止后持续 3 个月；子宫组织中这些激素水平没有变化。Cd 不会引起子宫内膜的雌二醇样增生，但会导致子宫内膜水肿，且在最高剂量时会导致卵巢损伤。综上所述，雌性大鼠亚急性口服暴露于 Cd 可能导致生殖系统长期紊乱。
