Gestational administration of cadmium alters the neurotransmitter levels in newborn rat brains

The effects of gestational and early lactational intoxication by cadmium (Cd) were studied in the brain of young Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to 10 mg of cadmium acetate per litre of drinking water, from initiation of pregnancy to parturition or until postnatal day 5. At birth or on postnatal day (PND) 5 the pups were weighed, sacrificed and brains were removed and frozen for later study. Protein, lipid and nucleic acid contents were measured and the brain Cd concentration was determined. Levels of dopamine (DA), 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and their respective metabolites 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) were measured in neonatal pup brain by higher performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The results from this experiment showed that Cd increased the 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA contents in all areas of the brain and the DA and DOPAC levels in mesencephalon, but decreased the DA and DOPAC levels in the metencephalon. On the other hand, Cd intoxication did not modify the other biochemical parameters measured, with the exception of a decrease in nucleic acids on PND 5. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.