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

Abstract

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 electrophysio logical (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 expo sure 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.