LEAD DISTRIBUTION IN IRON-DEFICIENT RATS .1. LEAD-EXPOSURE DURING THE PERIOD OF ORGANOGENESIS

The effect of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm lead administration in drinking water during 6-14 day of gestation in normal and iron-deficient rats was investigated to see the feto-placental lead distribution. The results indicate that the maternal blood lead uptake at the 2000 ppm dose level was significantly more in iron-deficient group as compared to the control. In placenta, only two higher doses, i.e. 1000 and 2000 ppm lead exhibited increased placental lead uptake in iron-deficient groups which was not dose-dependent. Fetuses also exhibited the same pattern as observed in the placenta but 2000 ppm dose level revealed no change in fetal lead level when compared with the same normal iron fed dietary group. The results show that iron-deficiency enhances the maternal, fetal and placental lead uptake though they are not dose-dependent.