Cadmium effects on hypothalamic activity and pituitary hormone secretion in the male.

Cadmium specifically modify amine metabolism at the central nervous system and pituitary hormone secretions. Thus, the physiological functions controlled by these hormones can be modulated by cadmium. This xenobiotic is associated with deleterious effects on the gonadal function and with changes in the secretory pattern of other pituitary hormones like prolactin, ACTH, GH or TSH. The observed changes in pituitary hormone secretion do not correlate with the modifications of central nervous system metabolism of the neurotransmitters involved in their regulation. The accumulative data indicates the existence of a disruption in the regulatory mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The physiological significance of these effects remains to be elucidated.