Dose-related alterations in growth and mineral disposition by chronic oral cadmium administration in the male rat.

The effect of cadmium (1, 10, or 100 ppm) administered to male rats in drinking water for 13 weeks on body weight and mineral disposition (Cd, Mg, P and Zn) in several body tissues was examined. Most alterations observed in these parameters occurred only at the 100 ppm dose of Cd. Terminal body weight was decreased by 10% in rats ingesting Cd at 100 ppm resulting from decreased food intake since weight gain/food consumption ratio was the same for all treatment groups. In serum, cadmium ingestion resulted in an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity at all concentrations and phosphorous was elevated only in animals receiving 100 ppm Cd. No changes were observed in Ca in urea. In bone, Cd decreased zinc content, increased Ca content, but did not influence bone ash, Mg or P and roentgenographic examination revealed no bone abnormalities. In both liver and kidney, cadmium ingestion did not influence intestinal absorption of Ca, Mg, P, or Zn or the renal excretion of Ca, P, or urea. The results of this study indicate that alterations in body weight and tissue mineral disposition resulting from chronic Cd ingestion are dose-related.