Intestinal Absorption and Retention of Cadmium in Neonatal Pigs Compared to Rats and Guinea Pigs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure intestinal absorption and retention of cadmium in the newborn pig and to compare data from the pig, rat and guinea pig, three species that differ greatly in their ability to absorb macromolecules at birth. Newborn pigs were administered a single oral dose of 50 µCi of ^115mCd (0.20 mCi/mg Cd) 24 hours after birth and killed at intervals between 1 and 14 days after dosing. Cd absorption and gastrointestinal retention were then determined; these data were compared with similar data from the rat and guinea pig. The cumulative Cd absorption was about 4.0, 5.0 and 23% of the dose in the day-old pig, rat and guinea pig, respectively. The residence time of Cd in the intestinal tract was longer in the rat than in the pig or guinea pig, the 50% excretion time being 15, 8 and 5 days in the rat, pig and guinea pig, respectively. Cd absorption in the neonate appears to be a two-step process: mucosal uptake of Cd from the lumen, probably by pinocytosis, followed by transfer of a portion of this Cd into the body. This transfer process is similar, but does not entirely coincide with changes associated with protein absorption in the neonate.