Effect of exposure to lead on maturation of intestinal iron absorption of rats. [/sup 59/Fe tracer techniques]

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287397809529677· OSTI ID:6241291

Dobbins, A; Johnson, D R; Nathan, P

The influence of lead on iron absorption was investigated at various stages of development in rat pups exposed to lead first through mothers' milk and later in their solid diet. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, iron absorption, and tissue iron concentration were measured on d 14, 20, 23, 29, 35, 42, and 63 after birth. Both hematocrit and hemoglobin in the lead-exposed group were significantly below control levels at all periods earlier than d 42 and 63, respectively. Absorption of iron ((/sup 59/Fe)-ferrous citrate in 10/sup -4/ M FeSO/sub 4/) from intestinal loops measured over /sup 1///sub 2/ h remained at preweaning levels (10 to 12% of total activity added to the loop) for at least 1 wk after weaning in the lead-exposed rats, whereas in control animals iron absorption fell to adult levels (3 to 4%) at weaning. Spleen weight was significantly elevated in lead-exposed rats compared with control rats at all ages beyond d 14. However, spleen iron content (micrograms of Fe for gram of tissue, was not significantly elevated in the lead-exposed group before d 42. The results indicate that exposure to lead does not reduce iron absorption from the intestinal tract; thus alteration of intestinal iron adsorption does not contribute to lead-induced anemia. Indeed, lead-exposed rats demonstrated increased iron uptake.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 6241291
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN JTEHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GLOBIN
HEMATOLOGY
HEMOGLOBIN
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
IRON
IRON 59
IRON ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LEAD
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
METALS
NUCLEI
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PIGMENTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
RADIOISOTOPES
RATS
RODENTS
SPLEEN
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT