Effect of lead ingestion on vitamin D3 metabolism in Japanese quail

Immature female Japanese quail were given either lead acetate or sodium acetate in the drinking water for 15 days. In vitro kidney production of 1, 25- and 24-25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 from tritiated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was measured. At all 3 dose levels of lead acetate (0.32, 3.2 and 32 mg Pb/ml), in vitro kidney production of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was increased significantly compared to control levels treated with sodium acetate. Lead treatment had no significant effect on plasma calcium and inorganic phosphate levels.