Cd levels in the blood, liver, and kidneys were determined as described in previous studies. For assessment of Cd levels in blood, 0.5 ml whole blood samples were used, while for its assessment in tissues, constant weight slices of Livers and kidneys were oven dried at 60 8C. The blood samples and the dried tissues (100 mg from each sample) were digested with 3 ml trace pure concentric nitric acid on a hot plate at 120 8C. Once the digestion was complete, the samples were cooled at room temperature and their volumes were then adjusted to 10 ml with deionized water. Cd concentration was quantified by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 100). Cd concentration is expressed as mg/ml blood and mg/g liver or kidney tissue weight.