Inhibition of delayed hypersensitivity reaction in mice by cadmium.

The effect of a single exposure to Cd on DH was studied through exposure to Cd at different time intervals in relation to antigen administration. Exposure to Cd significantly suppressed the DH reaction, with a dose-response relationship, when administered 2 or 3 days after immunization of BALB/c and DBA/2 mice with sheep red blood cells. A strain difference in sensitivity to Cd was also demonstrated. These results suggest that a single exposure to Cd impairs the cellular immune response in mice.