Biomarkers of heavy metal reproductive effects and interaction with essential elements in experimental studies on female rats.

Experimental studies in laboratories in Croatia and U.S.A. were conducted on female rats exposed to lead or cadmium to evaluate effects on the female reproductive integrity. The health condition of the offspring and relationship with essential elements were also evaluated. By using simple biomarkers of reproductive effects it was found that subchronic oral exposure to lead (1500-5500 ppm) or cadmium (50 ppm) during pregnancy and lactation decreased pup body weight, and that lead also decreased pup viability. Acute exposure to cadmium (3 or 5 mg/kg body weight s.c.) in vivo suppressed serum concentrations of progesterone and estradiol depending on the reproductive stage. Organ accumulations of lead or cadmium were accompanied by changes in the concentrations of iron and zinc in both mother and pups. Future research should focus on the effects of metals on endocrine disruption in the ovary and placenta, and on concomitant interaction of toxic and essential metals in mother and offspring.