The Effect of Cadmium on the Production of Caries in the Rat

Abstract

Admn. of 0.002% CdCl2 in the drinking water of rats did not affect the production of caries by a coarse corn diet, but when 0.004% CdCl2 was given, the caries index showed a much greater range than in the controls. Giving 0.004% CdCl2 during the period of calcification only did not cause any uptake of Cd by the molars, but when admn. was continued for 100 days, the molars contained an avg. of 0.003% Cd and showed a variable caries index. This may be due to a localized stimulation of phosphatase activity by small concs. of Cd.