Cadmium effects on hypothalamic activity and pituitary hormone secretion in the male

Cadmium specifically modify amine metabolism at the central nervous system and pituitary hormone secretions. Thus, the physiological functions control led by these hormones can be modulated by cadmium. This xenobiotic is assoc iated with deleterious effects on the gonadal function and with changes in the secretory pattern of other pituitary hormones like prolactin, ACTH, GH or TSH. The observed changes in pituitary hormone secretion do not correlat e with the modifications of central nervous system metabolism of the neurot ransmitters involved in their regulation. The accumulative data indicates t he existence of a disruption in the regulatory mechanisms of the hypothalam ic-pituitary axis. The physiological significance of these effects remains to be elucidated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserve d.