In Utero Exposure to Cadmium, Mammary Gland Development, and Breast Cancer Risk

Abstract

Exposures to estrogen-mimickers correlate strongly with biomarkers of breast cancer risk in epidemiological and animal studies. The heavy metal cadmium activates ERa and the androgen receptor. Food sources of Cd include wheat, soy, rice, sunflower and flax seeds. Because the half-life of cadmium in the mammalian body is >20 years its endocrine-disrupting effects are long-lasting. We hypothesized that in utero exposure to low doses of dietary cadmium, would be associated with post-natal changes in puberty on-set, mammary development and tumour incidence. To test these hypotheses we exposed pregnant rats to a diet consisting of low cadmium levels throughout pregnancy. After parturition, all groups were switched to standard rodent chow. We chose two time-points to examine mammary development; post-natal day 28 (pre-pubertal) and post-natal day 50 (pubertal).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA493731

Entities

People

  • Jennifer D. Webster

Organizations

  • Georgetown University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Androgen Receptors
  • Androgens
  • Appetite
  • Birth
  • Body Weight
  • Breast Cancer
  • Data Analysis
  • Department Of Defense
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Estrogens
  • Growth Factors
  • Heavy Metals
  • Mammary Glands
  • Metals
  • Neoplasms
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteins

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.
  • Women's Health and Cancer Risk Research: African American Women and Pregnancy Outcomes.