Selenium protection against cadmium toxicity in hamster embryos

The present studies were carried out in order to assess the protective effe cts of selenium against cadmium toxicity in pregnant hamsters. On the 8(th) day of gestation the females were dosed subcutaneously either with cadmium or with cadmium and selenium in the following doses (mg per kilogram of bo dy weight): 0, 1 Cd, 1 Cd + 1 Se, 2 Cd, 2 Cd + 2 Se. In groups treated with cadmium decreased litter size, increased postimplantation losses, reduced foetal weight, elevated percentage of resorptions and increased incidence o f malformations were noted. Injection of Cd and Se resulted in significantl y lower embryo- and foetotoxic indices. Selenium also reduced Cd concentrat ions in maternal tissues but not in the placenta nor in the foetuses.