Possible mechanisms of cadmium fetotoxicity in golden hamsters and mice: uptake by the embryo, placenta and ovary.

Pregnant golden hamsters and mice of different gestational ages were injected intravenously with 109CdCl(2). The whole animal or the uterus and embryos were submitted to autoradiography. Cadmium administered on the 8th day accumulated in the primitive gut of the embryos. No cadmium was detected in the embryos after administration on or after the 9th day (hamster) and 11th day (mouse). This finding can be explained by the ability of cadmium to pass from the yolk-sac cavity into the primitive gut (where it is absorbed) before the closure of the vitelline duct but not later. This uptake by the embryo might explain the severe malformations produced by cadmium given on the 8th day as compared with the 9th day in the hamster. Cadmium is also heavily accumulated in the decidua (mainly the antimesometrial part), the yolk sac, the ectoplacental cone, and later in the chorioallantoic placenta-possibly disturbing the maternal-embryonic relationship and fetal nutrition. A high accumulation in the CL and the follicles and in the pituitary may also disturb reproductive function.