Intracellular localization of lead in tissues of the mute swan

The aim of this study was to examine the ultrastructure of kidney, liver, blood and intestine of a lead-poisoned bird and compare these with tissues of a healthy bird. From these results it was hoped to reveal that any abnormalities observed were due to lead poisoning and consequently suitable sections were also selected for X-ray analysis. Renal intranuclear inclusions were present in the lead-poisoned swan. X-ray analysis clearly demonstrated that these granules consist of an amorphous mass of lead probably as lead phosphate. Large numbers of electron dense granules were observed in the liver of the lead-poisoned bird and occasionally in the healthy swans liver. X-ray analysis demonstrated that these granules contain iron. Some of the red blood cells of the lead-poisoned swan have opaque granules associated with the plasma membrane, these were not observed in the healthy swan.