Effect of cadmium on bones: Studies on the mechanical strength of rat bones and the electron probe micro‐analysis

Abstract

In our previous studies, it was shown that a small amount of cadmium, which was administered to young rats, decreased the mechanical strength of bones. But when adult rats were administered with a higher dose of cadmium, they accumulated far lower cadmium into bones and the decrease in the mechanical strength of bones did not occur. In the present study, we tested the mechanical strength of bones of young rats for a longer period of administration, and observed that the mechanical strength of bones constantly decreased. In order to explain how the accumulated cadmium in bones affects the weakening of the bones, we made electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) to find out the localization site of cadmium in bones and to analyse the change in the elements of bones.