Lead in Blood of Albino Mice after Oral Administration of Different Doses of Lead Acetate

Objective: Correlation of lead in blood of albino mice with orally administered different doses of lead. Material and methods: This experimental study was conducted at Postgraduate Medical institute Lahore from Fist Feb to 31st March 2004. A total of 40 adult virgin female albino mice of 6-8 weeks age weighing between 30 +/- 2 grams were divided randomly into four groups of ten each. Group I was not given lead acetate, where as group I, II and IV were given lead acetate in doses of 2,4 and 8mg/kg/day, respectively for 60 days by oral route. Results: Blood lead levels were lowest in group I(0.16ugm/ml mean SD 0.18 +/- 2) and highest in group IV(0.62ug/ml mean SD 0.60 +/- 0.015) and revealed significant statistical differences(P<0.001) between groups I vs II, I vs III A and I vs IV. Leads levels were found to be elevated with increment in doses of lead acetate. Conclusion: There is linear correlation between concentration of lead and its absorption and even low dosage of exposure leads to rise to toxic level especially for children.