Alterations in the lipid content of pituitary gland and serum prolactin and growth hormone in cadmium treated rats

Abstract  The present study was undertaken to assess whether chronic exposition to cadmium (Cd, 0.133 mM per liter for 2 months) through drinking water may affect the lipid contents in the pituitary anterior lobe (PAL) of adult male Wistar rats. As compared to metal non-exposed controls, PALs exposed to cadmium showed an increase in total phospholipid contents, which was associated to an increase of the incorporation of [1–14C]-methyl choline into phosphatidylcholine and of [U–14C]-glucose into total phospholipids. The incorporation of [1–14C]-methyl choline into sphingomyelin was not changed. Incorporation of [1–14C]-acetate into total fatty acids also increased but incorporation of [1–14C]-acetate into cholesterol did not change. The activity of phospholipase D decreased both in PALs from Cd exposed rats and in PAL dispersed cells treated with Cd in the culture medium from Cd non-exposed rats. In PALS from Cd exposed rats, a decrease of serum prolactin and growth hormone concentrations was determined. The results shown that cadmium modifies the lipid contents of pituitary gland and directly or indirectly the levels of prolactin and growth hormone in serum.