Erythrocyte protoporphyrin in experimental chronic lead poisoning in calves.
Erythrocyte protoporphyrin was measured in calves by the free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) test. The FEP of 15 healthy calves was 142.8 +/- 32.4 micrograms/dl (mean +/- SD) of packed erythrocytes or 45.6 +/- 10.3 micrograms/dl of whole blood. Biweekly oral lead administration to 3 calves produced a continuous increase of FEP to between 2,800 and 6,033 micrograms/dl of packed erythrocytes after 20 weeks. Fluorescence scans of diluted blood were used to demonstrate that erythrocyte protoporphyrin from lead-poisoned calves was present as an approximately 2:1 mixture of zinc protoporphyrin and free protoporphyrin. Blood lead concentration increased in calves after lead was given (orally), but had greater weekly fluctuations than FEP. Mild anemia developed in 2 of 3 animals late in the experiment. Basophilic stippling of erythrocytes occurred in 1 calf.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead