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2B - Natural Stressors and Toxicants (TUP/65) Metallothionein levels in the liver and kidneys of the bank vole exposed to cadmium. Bialonska, Dobroslawa1, Sawicka-Kapusta, Katarzyna1, Zakrzewska, Marta1, 1 Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Malopolska, Poland ABSTRACT- Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant, well known for its toxicity to mammals. It is easily absorbed and remains a relatively long time within the tissues. Cd accumulates mostly in the liver and kidneys where it induces production of metallothionein (MT) a low-molecular-weight protein which has high affinity for binding metals, preventing any detrimental changes in the cell. While several studies have examined heavy metal accumulation in laboratory-raised animals few have considered animals captured from the natural environment. Using wild animals avoids the negative influences of long-term captive breeding on laboratory ones. In the present study the first generation of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) born in the animal room were mated and for the next 5 months exposed to two doses of cadmium in food. We investigated the influence of Cd accumulation in the liver and kidneys of bank voles on MT levels in these tissues We also analyzed concentrations of zinc and copper in studied samples as cadmium is known to disturb essential metals absorption and distribution. Cadmium was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAnalyst, Perkin-Elmer 800), zinc, copper by IL 251 flame spectrophotometer. Metallothionein content was analyzed by a Cd-saturation method. We found significant differences in Cd accumulation in both kidney and liver between studied groups. Additionally, with the increase of Cd content in these tissues, the level of MT grown up. Both the liver and kidneys of females from experimental groups accumulated more cadmium and synthesized higher amounts of MT as the result, when compared to males. Thus, probably was the effect of increased metabolism and consumption during pregnancy and lactation. Non of experimental groups showed any significant changes in essential metals (Cu, Zn) concentrations under cadmium exposure. Key words: metallothionein, Cd, Zn, Cu, bank voles, liver, kidneys |
