delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase - a sensitive indicator of lead exposure in Japanese quail

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Poult. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560174· OSTI ID:5955198

Stone, C L; Fox, M R.S.; Jones, A L; Mahaffey, K R

Red blood cell delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (RBC-ALAD) activity has proven to be a sensitive indicator of lead exposure in humans. The depressed enzyme activity and its negative correlation to blood lead concentrations are well-known effects of lead exposure in man. The sensitivity of RBC-ALAD activity in young Japanese quail exposed to low levels of lead as lead acetate was investigated. Two groups of nine birds each were fed purified diets containing either no added lead or 25 ..mu..g. of lead per g. of diet. After 2 weeks, blood samples for hematocrit, hemoglobin, and enzyme determinations and renal, hepatic, duodenal, and tibial tissues were collected. There were no significant differences between controls and lead-fed birds in body, kidney, duodenal, and tibial weights, or in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations. However, the renal, hepatic, duodenal, and tibial lead concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) greater in the lead-treated birds. The activity of RBC-ALAD in the group fed lead was 45% of that in the control group; these values were significantly different (P < 0.001). RBC-ALAD activity expressed as the log base 10 showed significant (P < 0.02) negative correlation with both hepatic and tibial lead. The study demonstrates that the activity of RBC-ALAD in the Japanese quail is a very sensitive indicator of lead exposure. 31 references, 2 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5955198
• Journal Information: Poult. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Poult. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 56:1; ISSN POSCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIRDS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
ERYTHROCYTES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
INHIBITION
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
VERTEBRATES