Cadmium Enrichment Characteristics in Different Oratosquilla oratoria Tissues During Various Gonadal Development Stages from Shanghai and Its Health Risk Assessment

The bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in the edible tissues of Oratosquilla oratoria, a seasonal delicacy in Shanghai, poses potential health risks to consumers. This study investigated Cd accumulation in the edible tissues (muscle, gonad, hepatopancreas, intestine, heart) of Oratosquilla oratoria purchased from Shanghai markets, focusing on cadmium content during gonadal development using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results revealed the hepatopancreas as the primary site of Cd storage, with concentrations in the intestine and hepatopancreas (10.64–58.27 mg/kg) being orders of magnitude higher than those in the gonads and muscle (0.01–0.48 mg/kg). Strikingly, Cd levels in the gonads remained consistently low throughout development and did not correlate with the gonadosomatic index. This indicates a biological barrier that sequesters Cd in the outer gonad membrane of Oratosquilla oratoria, thereby protecting germ cells from toxicity. Health risk assessment indicated that consumption of the intestine and hepatopancreas poses a potential carcinogenic risk, whereas the most commonly consumed tissues—muscle and gonads—present a low risk. Our findings clarify the differential bioaccumulation of Cd in Oratosquilla oratoria, reveal a potential biological mechanism for gonadal protection, and provide a scientific basis for targeted consumption guidance to mitigate public health risks.