Behavioural and functional neurotoxicological changes caused by cadmium in a three-generational study in rats

1. Three consecutive generations of Wistar rats were orally treated by gavage with 3.5, 7.0 or 14.0 mg/kg cadmium (in form of cadmium chloride diluted in distilled water) over the period of pregnancy, lactation and 8 weeks after weaning. 2. Behavioural (open field behaviour) and electrophysiological (spontaneous and evoked cortical activity, etc.) parameters of male rats from each generation were investigated at the age of 12 weeks. 3. The main behavioural outcomes were change in vertical exploration activity (rearing) and increased exploration of an open field centre. The spontaneous and evoked electrophysiological variables showed dose- and generation-dependent changes (increased frequencies in the electrocorticogram, lengthened latency and duration of evoked potentials, etc.) signalling a change in neural functions. 4. The data show that low-level, multigeneration exposure to inorganic cadmium can affect functions of the nervous system. This suggests that cadmium exposed human populations may be at risk of developing nervous system disorders.