Foetotoxicity of Cadmium in Quackenbush Strain Mice and the Effects of the Metal on Uterine Alkaline Phosphatase During Pseudopregnancy

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the sensitivity of Quackenbush strain (QS) mice to the foetotoxic effects of single subcutaneous injections of CdClz (2, 4 and 8 mg of cadmium per kilogram body weight) on days 1, 2, 4 or 8 of pregnancy. Autopsies performed on day 16 of pregnancy revealed that cadmium was teratogenic and increased the incidence of malformed forelimbs and exencephaly and decreased foetal weight. The metal caused foetal weight changes and exencephaly only when it was administered on day 8 of pregnancy indicating that the post-implantation stage presents the QS mouse with a period of increased sensitivity to the foetotoxic effects of cadmium.