Abstract
Cadmium induces fetal death and placental necrosis in the rat following exposure late in gestation. Fetal death is produced despite limited fetal accumulation of cadmium. Using direct fetal injections of cadmium, it was demonstrated that cadmium concentrations 8-fold higher than those associated with fetal toxic maternal injection could be tolerated by fetuses. Thus, fetal death was not the result of direct effects of cadmium on the fetus. The placentae of dams treated with 40 µmoles Cd/kg (subcutaneously) demonstrated trophoblastic necrosis, hemorrhage and congestion of the maternal vascular spaces. These changes were indicative of local circulatory alterations. Blood flow to the placentae of dams treated with 40 µmoles Cd/kg was reduced within 12–16 and 18–24 hours following injections of CdCl2, prior to the occurrence of fetal death.
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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York
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Levin, A.A., Miller, R.K., Sant’Agnese, P.A. (1983). Heavy Metal Alterations of Placental Function: A Mechanism for the Induction of Fetal Toxicity in Cadmium. In: Clarkson, T.W., Nordberg, G.F., Sager, P.R. (eds) Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Metals. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9346-1_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9346-1_27
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