The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of steroid agents in cadmium-induced acute and chronic toxicity in mice. A total of 840 animals (420 male and 420 female) were used. Cadmium chlorid (1 mg/kg) was given with drinking water daily for three months. After this period, the animals were injected s.c. steroid agents and 24 h later tissue cadmium concentrations were determined by using Atomic Absorbtion Spectrophotometry and serum ALT, AST and BUN values were determined by using Auto Analyzator. Following chronic cadmium toxicity, liver and kidney cadmium levels were found to be increased some groups whereas decreased in the steroid treated groups. There were no significant changes in the serum concentrations of ALT, AST and BUN. It was observed that body weightof mice was decreased, henatocrit value was reduced an erythroctes were shrunk.

Acute cadmium toxicity was induced by s.c. injection of 1.8 and 3.6 mg/kg of cadmium chlorur. Both liver and kidney cadmium levels of males were found to be decreased when 1.8 mg/kg cadmium was applied with oestrogen, progesterone, prednizolone and oestrogen plus progesterone. In females, both liver and kidney cadmium levels were reduced after oestrogen, progesterone and prednizolone administration.

Both liver and kidney cadmium concentrations were decreased in all groups with the administration of 3.6 mg/kg cadmium chloride and several steroid agents whereas no changes were observed liver cadmium levels in the female mice treated testosteron. Mortality ranged 5-35% in these groups.

In both male and female mice received 1.8 and 3.6 mg/kg cadmium together with the steroid agents, serum ALT, AST levels were found to be increased, whereas BUN levels decreased.

In conclusion, in both male and female mice application of steroid agents altered the cadmium-induced toxicity and tissue distruption. Although liver and kidney cadmium levels were decreased following the administration of the steroids, damages were observed in the liver. When high doses of cadmium were applied together with the steroid agents, mortality occurred. Thus, it was suggested that hormonal status of the animals might have determining effects on cadmium-induced toxicity.