Uptake and distribution of Cd in the ovaries, adrenals, and pituitary in pseudopregnant rats: Effects of Cd on progesterone serum levels

Pseudopregnant (PSP) rats were treated with 3.5 or 7.0 mg/kg body wt of CdCl sub(2) on Day 1 of PSP sc. In the lower dose Cd content of the ovaries, adrenals, pituitary, and blood on Days 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, and 12, and in the higher dose that of luteal and nonluteal tissue on Days 2 and 5 of PSP were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A rapid incorporation into the corpora lutea was measured on Day 1 and Day 2 of PSP followed by a decrease of Cd content toward the end of PSP whereas the nonluteal tissue, adrenals, and pituitary accumulated Cd gradually until the fifth to 10th day, respectively. Progesterone (P) serum levels were measured with RIA in the blood collected daily from the jugular vein following administration of 3.5 to 7.0 mg/kg body wt of CdCl sub(2) sc on Day 1 or Day 8 of PSP. The serum levels of P remained unchanged when CdCl sub(2) was administered on Day 1 of PSP; 7.0 mg/kg body wt CdCl sub(2) given on Day 8 of PSP induced a significant decrease in serum levels of P.