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.