Decrease in the mechanical strength of bones of rats administered cadmium.

The mechanical properties of the bones of young, adult and old rats administered various concentrations of cadmium were measured to prove the direct effect of cadmium on the bones of young rats. The young rats were divided into three subgroups, which were administered 0 (control), 5 and 10 ppm cadmium, respectively. The adult rats were subdivided into six groups, administered 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 ppm cadmium, respectively. The old rats were divided into three subgroups, which were administered 0, 80, and 160 ppm cadmium, respectively. The length of the administration was 4 weeks in every group. The decrease in the mechanical strengths of bones of young rats administered with cadmium was observed. On the other hand, no change in mechanical strength of bones was observed in the case of adult and old rats, administered up to 160 ppm cadmium. The correlation between the cadmium in bones and the decrease in the strength of the bone shows that cadmium directly affects the mechanical properties of bones of young rats.