Zinc and Cadmium in Normal Human Embryos and Fetuses

Abstract

Zinc and cadmium concentrations were determined in 36 first trimester intact human embryos and in liver, brain, and kidney of 14 second and 1 third trimester fetuses. Zinc was found in all first trimester specimens. It increased sevenfold between the 31st and 35th day of gestation. Cadmium was present in 57% of specimens in concentrations from 0.032μg/gm to 0.07μg/ gm of wet tissue. In second trimester specimens, mean zinc concentration in brain was 5.6μg, in kidney 15.7μg, and in liver 167.7μg. Cadmium was present in 80% of livers (mean, 0.113μg/gm), 28% of kidneys (mean, 0.05μg/gm), and 17% of brain specimens (mean, 0 140μg/gm). Mothers of these abortuses did not live in areas of Japan where endemic cadmium poisoning exists; however, higher cadmium content of the average Japanese diet may be reflected by cadmium concentration in these specimens.