ACCUMULATION OF LEAD IN TISSUES AFTER ITS ADMINISTRATION IN DRINKING-WATER TO LABORATORY RATS

Lead administered to laboratory rats in drinking water (0.1-0.8%) as l ead acetate solution tends to accumulate in collagen-rich tissues such as tendons and the skin. The amount of lead deposited (and also zinc present in the tissue without its supplementation) correlates with the blood supply to the tissue investigated. The highest deposits of lead were observed in placenta and chorionic membranes, though here only a bout 60% are collagen-bound. No differences in the drinking habits of the animals were observed and also at lower concentrations of lead in the drinking water no dose dependence was revealed. However, at 0.8 % of lead in drinking water considerable accumulation of lead was observ ed in all tissues investigated.