The tissue disposition and urinary excretion of cadmium, zinc, copper and iron, following repeated parenteral administration of cadmium to rats.

The effect of repeated parenteral administration of cadmium (0.75, 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg) on tissue disposition and urinary excretion of cadmium, zinc, copper and iron has been studied in the male rat. Cadmium, zinc and copper accumulated in liver and kidney, but the concentration of iron did not alter significantly. The kidney weight relative to body weight showed a dose-related increase in weight of 25--65%. Excretion of cadmium in the urine increased directly with dosage and the increase was most significant when kidney damage had probably occurred. Administration of cadmium also resulted in dose-related increases in the urinary excretion of zinc, copper and iron. The cadmium concentration of blood increased with dosage of cadmium, and the plasma concentrations of zinc and copper were also raised but plasma iron concentration was diminished.