Effects of subchronic alternating cadmium exposure on dopamine turnover and plasma levels of prolactin, GH and ACTH

This study was undertaken to analyze if the effects of subchronic alternating cadmium exposure on pituitary hormone secretion are mediated by changes in dopamine turnover in an age dependent way or are directly correlated to cadmium accumulation at the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Male rats were treated sc. from day 30 to 60 (prepubertal period) or from day 60 to 90 (adult age) of life, with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg(-1) bw, every 4th day in an alternate schedule, starting with the smaller dose. Dopamine (DA) turnover, expressed as the ratio of acid 3,3-dihidroxifenil acetic (DOPAC)/DA in various hypothalamic areas, the plasma levels of prolactin, growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cadmium accumulation in the hypothalamus and pituitary were studied. Prepubertal cadmium exposure decreased DA content in all hypothalamic areas studied, although its turnover was not modified. A decrease in plasma ACTH levels with no changes in plasma prolactin and GH levels were found. Cadmium did not accumulate in pituitary while it increased in the hypothalamus. Metal exposure during adulthood decreased DA content in mediobasal and posterior hypothalamus, and its turnover in posterior hypothalamus and median eminence. It decreased plasma prolactin and ACTH levels but not those of GH. Cadmium concentration increased in both hypothalamus and pituitary. These results suggest that cadmium exposure produces age dependent changes on the secretory mechanisms of the pituitary hormones studied, related to the selective accumulation of the metal at both hypothalamic and hypophyseal level changes. However the effects of the metal are not mediated by dopamine.