Lack of carcinogenicity of cadmium chloride in female Syrian hamsters

Cadmium is very effective at inducing necrosis within the ovaries of rodents, and the Syrian hamster appears particularly sensitive. The extent of cadmium-induced necrosis depends on the stage of the estrous cycle and is most pronounced when injected on the day prior to ovulation (proestrous). In male rodents cadmium induces a similar necrosis within the testes, which given sufficient time can lead to the development of testicular tumors. In this study we tested the hypothesis that cadmium-induced ovarian necrosis could eventually lead to tumor formation. In sexually mature groups of female Syrian hamsters (> 8 weeks old; n = 50-59), the estrous cycle was determined by visual inspection of vaginal discharge for four consecutive cycles. The animals were then given cadmium (0, 30, 40 and 50 micromol/kg) subcutaneously as a single injection in the dorsal thoracic midline on cycle day 4 (proestrous). Based on prior work, these doses are sufficient to induce extensive acute ovarian damage. Animals were then observed over the next 78 weeks. Although survival and body weight were reduced by cadmium, treatment with the metal did not result in an enhanced incidence of tumors at any site including the ovaries. Non-neoplastic lesions such as amyloidosis and pancreatic hepatocytes were linked to cadmium exposure. These results indicate that the association of cadmium-induced testicular necrosis with tumor development seen in males does not occur in the Syrian hamster ovaries.