Retention of cadmium in the duodenum of the rat following oral administration

The retention of cadmium in selected organs of the rat was studied following oral administration of the metal in the form of a carrier-free tracer and also as cadmium chloride. These 2 contrasting approaches (only the second being toxic) resulted in a similar retention pattern in the tissues. Both the cadmium burden and retention was greatest in the duodenum, followed by the kidney and the liver. This retention of cadmium in the duodenum following oral administration is relevant to the toxic effects of this metal associated with imparied calcium absorption in the intestine.