LACK OF EFFECT OF CHRONIC DEVELOPMENTAL LEAD TREATMENT ON BIOGENIC-AMINES AND METABOLITES IN MONKEY CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

Concentrations of 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), norepinephrine (NE), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were assayed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of control and chronically lead-treated nursery-reared rhesus monkeys sampled periodically from infancy through adulthood. Blood lead levels peaked at 62 mug/dl at 1.5 months of age, averaged 45 mug/dl for the remainder of the first year postpartum, and were maintained at 14 mug/dl from 20-58 months of age. Cisternal CSF samples were collected monthly from 5-35 months of age and every. 1-4 months from 36-58 months of age. Biogenic amine and metabolite concentrations were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Overall concentrations of DOPAC, HVA, NE, MHPG, and 5-HIAA were not significantly different in the control and lead-treated groups nor were there any significant interactions between lead treatment and age for any measure. DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA concentrations decreased gradually with age, whereas MHPG concentration decreased-sharply between 35 and 40 months of age. NE concentration remained stable across development.