Two groups of rats (n = 5) weighing 175-185 g were implanted (sc) with osmotic minipumps to deliver (0.5 microliter/hr) deionized water or cadmium chloride (CdCl2; 0.2 M) for 14 days. On completion of subacute treatment, liver and kidneys were collected from control and CdCl2 treated groups for analysis. We report that, subacute exposure to CdCl2 results in significant Cd accumulation in liver and kidneys, and heat-shock-protein 72 (HSP-72) induction in the liver. Results affirm a role for liver HSP-72 in Cd-toxicity.