Cadmium chloride was administered by gavage to pregnant rats from day 7 to day 16 of gestation. Cadmium, when administered at a dose of 40 mg Cd per kg per day, was associated with significant maternal toxicity, placental injury and an increased fetal burden of cadmium. At lower dose levels (2-20 mg Cd per kg per day), fetal development was retarded. Teratogenic effects were not observed and the fetal cadmium concentrations did not differ significantly from the controls, despite the marked cadmium accumulation in the placenta and maternal tissues. The body-weight gain during gestation of all cadmium-treated females was reduced and an absolute weight of adrenals in females given cadmium at doses 4 mg kg-1 and higher was significantly increased. The obtained results indicate that cadmium-induced fetal toxicity is associated with concomitant maternal toxicity and alteration in placental function.