Cadmium and zinc concentrations in human placentas.

Cadmium and zinc levels in placentae of 688 women who delivered their children in two university hospitals in Brno and in the regional hospital in Znojmo during January-June 1992 were determined using AAS analytical method. Average value of zinc (54.6 micrograms/g) and cadmium (18.02 ng/g) concentrations found out in our file are in accord with those ones reported in literature. Individual differences in zinc contained in placentae occur uniformly. Very low concentrations prevail for cadmium; values exceeding 100 ng/g of dry basis are sporadic only. Zinc vs. cadmium concentrations values in placenta are mutually positively correlated [correlation coefficient (factor) r = +0.13, p < 0.001]. Cadmium content in placenta depends on mothers' age and it is significantly higher in older women. No changes in zinc contained in the placental tissue depending on mothers' age were found out. The mutual ratio of zinc vs. cadmium content in a placental tissue is significantly decreased in older mother (23.8 in older women, 41.2 in younger women, p < 0.01).