Grady R R, Kitay J I, Spyker J M, Avery D L
J Environ Pathol Toxicol. 1978 Jan-Feb;1(3):187-97.
The subtle and delayed effects of two heavy metals, cadmium and mercury, on the pituitary-adrenal axis of mice were examined. Exeprimental animals were exposed to the toxins both in utero and neonatally via treated mothers' milk. Plasma levels of corticosterone, adrenal production of corticosterone in vitro, and the capacity of the liver to metabolize corticosterone in vitro were studied in these animals as adults. Exposure to methylmercury resulted in diminished hepatic metabolism of corticosterone in vitro due to a loss of liver mass. Adrenal function and plasma levels of corticosterone were unaffected by treatment. Cadmium-exposed animals examined at 277 days of age showed no significant differences when compared to untreated controls. However, when studied at 460-480 days of age, a sex difference in the response to cadmium exposure was noted. In males, the major effect was enhancement of hepatic reductive capacity, while in females, adrenal secretory capacity was enhanced. Possible mechanisms of action and consequences of these effects are discussed.
研究了两种重金属镉和汞对小鼠垂体-肾上腺轴的细微和延迟影响。实验动物在子宫内和新生儿期通过经处理的母乳接触这些毒素。对这些成年动物研究了血浆皮质酮水平、体外肾上腺皮质酮的产生以及肝脏体外代谢皮质酮的能力。接触甲基汞导致体外皮质酮的肝脏代谢减少，原因是肝脏质量损失。肾上腺功能和血浆皮质酮水平不受处理影响。在277日龄时检查的镉暴露动物与未处理的对照相比没有显著差异。然而，在460 - 480日龄时进行研究时，发现镉暴露反应存在性别差异。在雄性中，主要影响是肝脏还原能力增强，而在雌性中，肾上腺分泌能力增强。讨论了这些影响的可能作用机制和后果。
