Whole brain acetylcholinesterase activity in lead-exposed Japanese quail

A study was conducted in which male and female Japanese quail were fed dietary lead as lead acetate from hatch through 12 weeks of age. Lead was added to the diet at 0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg feed. Significant reductions in whole brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were found at all treatment levels. Additionally, a sexual dimorphism in brain weight and AChE activity was found. Breeding males had heavier brain weights and lower AChE activity than females. Brain weight was not affected by lead treatment. However, females exhibited a greater lead-induced decrease in AChE activity.