Teratogenic effects of cadmium on Bufo arenarum during gastrulation.

Developing Bufo arenarum embryos were treated during gastrulation with cadmium chloride in concentrations ranging from 6x10(-7) to 1.5x10(-5)M Cd++ at 20 and 30 degrees C. Initial failures at gastrulation result mainly in axial incurvations, microcephaly, hydropsy and abnormal tail formation. The higher temperature has a dual effect: at high concentrations of Cd early malformations are significantly increased; whereas, at low concentrations the higher temperature prevents alterations.