Lead poisoning in monkeys: functional and histopathological alterations of the kidneys

Ten monkeys (Macacus Irus) were given 0--15 mg of lead acetate (in drinking water) 6 days a week for 9 months. Two of the monkeys were also put on a low calcium diet with 6 mg of lead acetate/day. The blood lead level usually increased from the third month according to the dose of lead ingested and more quickly in monkeys deprived of calcium. Some of the monkeys showed signs of alteration in protein glomerular filtration and/or proximal tubular reabsorption. Studies using optical and electron microscopy showed distinct pathological changes in the proximal tubular epithelium where heavy deposits of lead were seen in the nuclei.