Asian Basic and Applied Research Journal

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal present in cigarette smoke, industrial waste and agricultural chemicals. Unlike essential minerals such as zinc, cadmium is not readily eliminated from the body and may accumulate in vital organs, causing chronic physiological damage.

Aims: This study assessed the effects of cadmium on spatial memory, pain sensitivity and immunity in female albino rats.

Methodology: Fifteen female albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of five animals: one control group and two treatment groups that received single intraperitoneal doses of cadmium at 2 and 3 mg/kg, respectively. Spatial working memory was assessed using the Y-maze test, and pain sensitivity was evaluated using the early and late phases of the formalin test. Immune response was assessed through total white blood cell and differential leukocyte counts, while body-weight change was recorded daily for seven days.

Results: Cadmium administration produced a dose-dependent reduction in Y-maze percentage alternation and a significant reduction in the number of arm entries. Pain-related behaviour decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during the late phase of the formalin test. The 3 mg/kg group showed a significant reduction in total WBC count. Differential leukocyte percentages remained generally stable, although eosinophil and basophil percentages showed non-significant reductions in the cadmium-treated group compared with the control group. The treated groups also showed lower body-weight gain than the control group.

Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, cadmium administration was associated with impaired spatial working-memory performance, altered pain-related behaviour, reduced total WBC count and lower body-weight gain in female albino rats.