Anti proliferative effect of arsenic,cadmium and lead on human placental chorion cells

Heavy metals present in environment can effect human health in different ways. these heavy metals can even cross placenta and cause harm to the developing fetus. in the present study the anti-proliferative effects of arsenic,cadmium and lead were studied on human placental chorion cells (pccs). the cells were isolated by explant method from placental tissue. anti-proliferative effects of arsenic,cadmium and lead were tested by neutral red uptake assay. both arsenic and cadmium proved to be very toxic for pccs. there was marked decrease in cell proliferation when cells were exposed to different metal concentrations for 24 h. there was reduction in proliferation of cells on exposure to lead but the effect of lead on pccs was not as severe as that of arsenic and cadmium. it is concluded that arsenic,cadmium and lead are toxic to pccs and hence there is a need to adopt proper measures to reduce the exposure of animals and human. copyright 2014 zoological society of pakistan.