The Effect of Cadmium on Chicken Embryo Heart Development

Abstract

This study aims to elucidate the effect of cadmium (Cd) on chicken embryo heart development. Cd is a hazardous chemical found commonly in cigarette smoke and in food sources due to environmental contaminants. Cd is known to bioaccumulate in organ tissues to cause carcinogenic effects. Our study investigates the effect of Cd exposure during early gestation on embryonic heart development. Phenotypic results show an increasingly hyperplastic myocardial wall associated with increasing CdCl2 dosage and earlier exposure. This semester, we will be using staining through apoptotic markers to determine the mechanism of transport of zinc and cadmium through the embryo. Biochemical analyses and assays will be conducted to further inquire the biological and molecular processes that result in the observed phenotypic changes associated with CdCl2 exposure. We hope to elucidate the mechanism of Cd cardiotoxicity in embryonic development to contribute to identifying susceptibility and treatments for Cd exposure in utero.