Pubertal dependent effects of cadmium on episodic prolactin secretion in male rats

This work was undertaken to assess if exposure to cadmium related to pubert y may affect the episodic pattern of prolactin. Male rats were submitted to cadmium exposure, from day 30 to 60 or from day 60 to 90 of life respectiv ely, at a dose of 50 ppm in the drinking water. Control age-matched rats re ceived cadmium-ii ee water. Prepubertal cadmium administration decreased me an serum prolactin levels and the absolute amplitude of the prolactin pulse s. Subchronic exposure to cadmium of adult rats decreased mean serum prolac tin levels, the absolute amplitude of the prolactin pulses and their durati on, and the mean half-life of the hormone. These results suggest that subch ronic cadmium exposure changes the secretory pattern of prolactin in adult male rats in a puberty-dependent way.