Abstract

Cadmium is a heavy metal toxicant, present widely in our environment and workplaces. In this study, the effects of cadmium on some biochemical and hormonal parameters of female guinea pigs were investigated. Single Intraperitoneal injection (ip) injection of 0.2 to 8.4 mg/kg of CdCl₂ was given to female guinea pigs in proestrus state and observed for 24 h.  Also, single ip injection of 3 mg/kg of CdCl₂ was given to another set of animals that were observed for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h. The animals were sacrificed at the end of each treatment period and blood samples were assayed for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, urea, progesterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Lutenising Hormone (LH). Cadmium caused significant (p ≤ 0.05) dose- and time-dependent increases in the serum levels of ALP, urea, creatinine, progesterone, FSH and LH. The results indicate that cadmium affects female reproductive function in guinea pigs, which may be due to interruption of the endocrine function.

Key words: Cadmium, endocrine, hormones, proestrus.