Avian digestive tract simulation to study the effect of grit geochemistry and food on Pb shot bioaccessibility

Lead shot dissolution was investigated in a dynamic in vitro simulated avian gizzard-intestine system. The method allows simulated digestive fluid to pass (at intervals) from a gizzardlike environment to an intestine-based one, and then considers the dissolution of Pb shot (0-3 pellets) in the presence of differing grit geochemistries (siliceous and calcareous) and variable amounts of food (0-4 g of partially milled wheat seed). Dissolved Pb levels in simulated gizzards were consistently higher in the presence of siliceous, than with calcareous, grit. This was also seen in simulated intestines, except when less food was used (0-1 g), when Pb levels in solution were higher in calcareous systems. The Pb concentrations in gizzard and intestine solutions increased directly with the number of Pb shot used. In all treatments Pb levels in intestine liquids were lower than in gizzard liquids. Calcareous grit simulations maintained 2.5-34 times more Ca in solution than those that used siliceous grit. Dietary supplementation with calcareous grit may reduce Pb bioaccessibility of ingested Pb shot in birds by reducing gizzard acidity, by enhancing Pb precipitation (as Pb-carbonate), and by promoting higher dissolved Ca levels in the intestine, which may then compete with Pb for intestinal absorption.