Biomaterial Database

Influence of dietary zinc on lead toxicity during gestation and lactation in the female rat. 1979

F L Cerklewski

Confirmed pregnant female albino rats received a purified diet containing either 12 or 120 ppm zinc with or without lead (0 to 500 ppm) from day 0 gestation through day 16 of lactation. An 11% reduction in dam weight gain during gestation and a 12% reduction in average pup weight in rats fed the low zinc plus lead diet was markedly different compared to controls not receiving lead and lead supplemented rats receiving supplemental zinc. Milk lead concentration was reduced in rats receiving additional dietary zinc and lead which was reflected in a 15% reduction in pup tibia lead concentration, a 20% reduction in inhibition of pup liver delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and a 31% reduction in pup blood porphyrin concentration. Some of the beneficial effects of supplemental zinc on lead toxicity of pups may be explained by a reduction of both liver lead (40%) and blood lead (32%) concentration of dams. However an interaction between lead and zinc at the placental and mammary barriers must also be considered. The results of this study suggest that nutritional status of zinc may be an important factor in modifying lead burden of infants borne by women occupationally and environmentally exposed to lead.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007774	Lactation	The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN.	Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D007854	Lead	A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D007855	Lead Poisoning	Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of LEAD or lead compounds.	Poisoning, Lead,Lead Poisonings,Poisonings, Lead
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D008431	Maternal-Fetal Exchange	Exchange of substances between the maternal blood and the fetal blood at the PLACENTA via PLACENTAL CIRCULATION. The placental barrier excludes microbial or viral transmission.	Transplacental Exposure,Exchange, Maternal-Fetal,Exposure, Transplacental,Maternal Fetal Exchange
D008892	Milk	The off-white liquid secreted by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals. It contains proteins, sugar, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.	Cow Milk,Cow's Milk,Milk, Cow,Milk, Cow's
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248	Pregnancy Complications	Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases.	Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D001842	Bone and Bones	A specialized CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is the main constituent of the SKELETON. The principal cellular component of bone is comprised of OSTEOBLASTS; OSTEOCYTES; and OSTEOCLASTS, while FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS and hydroxyapatite crystals form the BONE MATRIX.	Bone Tissue,Bone and Bone,Bone,Bones,Bones and Bone,Bones and Bone Tissue,Bony Apophyses,Bony Apophysis,Condyle,Apophyses, Bony,Apophysis, Bony,Bone Tissues,Condyles,Tissue, Bone,Tissues, Bone