Neurochemical changes in newborn rat's brain after gestational cadmium andlead exposure

Gestational administration of cadmium (10 mg/l) and lead (300 mg/l) produce d a strong decrease in proteins at birth (-17%) and on day 5 (-31%) as well as in brain lipid amount on both days (-11 and -23%, respectively). At day 5 postnatal the exposure also produced a marked decrease in DNA and RNA co ncentrations with respect to the control group. On the other hand, we found a significant increase of indoleamine content in all brain areas studied i n the cadmium-lead group and so the dopamine and its metabolite in mesencep halon, whereas dopamine levels in metencephalon decreased significantly. Th is data suggests that gestational and early lactational exposure to low dos e of cadmium and lead could produce alterations in monoaminergic metabolism that can place the exposed animal to a significant risk in adulthood. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All Fights reserved.