Experimental lead toxicosis in swine.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Toxicology
• Environmental Health
• Animal Science

Background:

• Lead exposure is a significant environmental concern impacting animal health.
• Understanding species-specific tolerance to heavy metals is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the toxic effects and tolerance of pigs to oral and intraperitoneal lead exposure.
• To evaluate hematological and biochemical responses to varying lead exposure routes and concentrations.

Main Methods:

• Thirty pigs (17-24 kg) were administered lead or sodium acetate orally or intraperitoneally (IP) for 13 weeks.
• Blood lead concentrations, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, and hematological parameters were monitored.
• Clinical signs and mortality rates were recorded throughout the study.

Main Results:

• Pigs exhibited high tolerance to lead, with mild clinical signs in orally exposed groups (blood lead up to 290 µg/dL).
• Intraperitoneal exposure resulted in mortality in 4 pigs, but 8 survived with blood lead levels up to 14,300 µg/dL.
• Lead exposure significantly decreased blood ALAD activity in all exposed pigs and caused moderate hematological changes (hemoglobin, hematocrit) in IP-exposed pigs.

Conclusions:

• Pigs demonstrate significant tolerance to lead, particularly via oral exposure.
• Intraperitoneal lead administration poses a higher risk, leading to mortality and significant hematological alterations.
• Blood lead concentration and ALAD activity are key indicators of lead exposure and toxicosis in pigs.