Teratogenic effects of cadmium on rat skin

Cadmium is a well-known teratogen in laboratory animals. However, teratogenic effects of cadmium have not been well-described on skin. The purpose of the present study was to assess histologically the teratogenic effects of cadmium on rat skin. After two weeks of confirming pregnancy, Wistar-albino rats (200-220 gr.) were given cadmium chloride intraperitoneally (i.p.) in a dosage of 2 mg/kg (in saline) for five days. Immediately after birth, all litters were anesthetised and several biopsies were taken from skin. In microscopical examination, increased keratinization, mitotic activity and hyperplasia were observed in the epidermal cells. Mitotically active cells were also found in and around the hair follicles. Increased fibrosis and chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate were prominent in the dermal papillae and around the hair follicles. Congestive vessels together with edema and extravasated erythrocytes were noticed in the mid dermis and the around hair follicles. Overall, considerable teratogenic effects of cadmium chloride were found on neonatal rat skin.