Lead influences on physiological and growth responses in Coturnix coturnix japonica selected for large body weights.
Coturnix coturnix japonica, selected for large adult weight (Fatty), were 40% heavier than random-bred controls (RB). Given dietary lead (50 or 500 mg/kg) from hatching, fatty (10%) showed a smaller decrease in body weight than did RB (22%) at 6 weeks. Egg production was lower in Fatty, and lead (500 mg/kg) caused a greater suppression in Fatty. Lead added to the diet of Fatty and RB control diets at 7 weeks into egg production caused a 15% decrease in RB production but only a transitory decrease in Fatty. Removal of lead from the diets at 7 weeks into production allowed RB to increase egg production 6-7 weeks later but no change was seen in Fatty. Plasma calcium was reduced in lead-exposed Fatty and RB, and removal of lead from the diets allowed only a small increase in calcium. After 15 weeks production, plasma calcium in lead-treated Fatty was approaching control levels. Femur weight was greater in Fatty, but lead caused an increase in both RB and Fatty femur weight. Removal of lead from the diet allowed only minimal recovery of femur weight. Male and female Fatty responses to dietary lead were parallel. These data indicate that Fatty was less sensitive to dietary lead than RB even though more lead per unit of metabolic mass was consumed.
Edens
F W
FW
Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Raleigh 27695-7635.
Melvin
V K
VK
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D003370:Coturnix / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D007854:Lead / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D011784:Quail / Q000502:physiology*
D007854:Lead