EFFECTS OF CONCURRENT EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND CADMIUM ON RENAL-FUNCTION IN GOATS

Twenty goats were divided into four equal groups. Keeping one group as a healthy control; goats of three groups were given lead acetate 50 m g kg(-1), cadmium chloride at 10 mg kg(-1): or:lead acetate 50 mg + ca dmium chloride 10 mg kg(-1) body weight orally daily for 42 days to st udy the effects of concurrent exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) o n kidney function. Serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, PSP clearance time and histopathological lesions were considered for monitoring renal fu nction. Significant increase in urea nitrogen, creatinine and PSP clea rance time, and the presence of histopathological lesions were observe d in all the three intoxicated groups. These changes were more pronoun ced and their onset was earlier in Pb intoxicated goats than Cd or Pb + Cd intoxicated goats. The findings showed that concurrent exposure o f goats to Pb and Cd did not enhance nephrotoxic effects produced by e ither of the metals given separately and Cd reduced toxic effects of P b indicating a possible antagonistic relation between the two metals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.