The effect of concurrent lead and cadmium exposure on the cell-mediated immune response in goats.

Cell-mediated immune response was monitored by cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) to 2-4 dinitrochlorobenzene in goats given lead or cadmium alone or in combination. Twenty goats were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each. Group A served as control whereas Groups B, C and D were given po doses of 50 mg lead acetate/kg body weight, 10 mg cadmium chloride/kg body weight or 50 mg lead acetate/kg body weight + 10 mg cadmium chloride/kg body weight, respectively, for 42 d. Primary sensitization was done on day 27 followed by a challenge dose after 14 d. Elicitation of CHR, as measured by average increase in skin thickness, was suppressed significantly in goats of all dosed groups. Suppression was more in the cadmium-dosed than in the lead or lead + cadmium dosed goats. Histopathology demonstrated reduced intensity of cellular reactions in the cadmium and lead + cadmium-dosed animals.