Gestational cadmium exposure and brain development: a biochemical study

The neurochemical effects of maternally administered cadmium (50 ppm through drinking water from 0 day of pregnancy) on the whole brain of offsprings exposed during gestation were studied in 7, 14 and 21 days old rats. The developmental pattern of body weight, protein, DNA and RNA contents in brain were not affected in Cd exposed pups of any age group. Brain weights were significantly reduced in exposed pups of postnatal age of 7 and 14 days but were comparable to controls in 21 days old pups. The content of Cd increased significantly in the brain of gestationally exposed pups of 7 days and remained almost stationary throughout the experimental period. The activity of Acetylcholinesterase, Na+, K(+)-ATPase, CNPase, 5'-Nucleotidase in the brain increased significantly from 7 to 21 days of age in control animals. In experimental pups, the activity of most of the enzymes was almost comparable to controls at 7 days of age except succinate dehydrogenase, which was significantly inhibited at 7, 14 and 21 days compared to controls. The activity of other enzymes was also significantly inhibited in the brain of experimental pups compared to controls of 21 days of age indicating marked retardation in the development of these enzymes. However, these changes had no correlation with the accumulation of Cd in the brain. These studies indicate that in utero exposure to Cd may retard the development of certain neurochemicals which may have long term implications on the brain functions.