Effect of dose level and pregnancy on the distribution and toxicity of intravenous lead in rats

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Abstract
Female Wistar rats were injected i.v. with tracer levels of 210Pb, alone or combined with carrier Pb(NO3)2, at 5 or 25 mg/kg body weight as 9 or 15 days of gestation (dg). Tissue 210Pb distribution and retention, and Pb excretion were measured several times during the first 30 h and at 20 dg. Toxic effects following the administration of 25 mg/kg (a teratogenic dose) included an early decrease in hematocrit, hematuria, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diarrhea and an eventual loss of body weight and an increase in spleen and kidney weights. The stage of pregnancy at injection did not affect the retention and distribution of Pb in major organs other than reproductive system. Following injection of the 25-mg/kg dose, deposition of Pb in the liver, kidney, spleen and lung was elevated. Disproportionately high plasma Pb levels were also observed at early times after the injection of the 25-mg/kg dose. This may act as a significant factor in placental Pb transfer and subsequent malformations or fetal mortality.