[Experimental assessment of the risk for offspring in lead exposure]

Multigenerational studies were carried out on albino rats obtained from parent progeny - female-intact and male-perorally exposed to lead acetate, in the drinking water - 0.2 mg/kg (group I) and 20 mg/kg (group II); the data were compared with a control group. Changes were found in each progeny as follows : in PI - reduced erythrocyte count, increased reticulocytes (group II); enhanced ATP activity in brain homogenates (group II), as will as increased disulphide groups in homogenates from brain, liver and testis (group II), highly reduced indices of fertility - 50% and of gestation - 62% (group II), in 100% level of the same indices in the control animals respectively. In P2 - reticulocytosis, reduced CytO in homogenates of liver, reduced activity of ATP and SucDH, enhanced activity of LDH and G6PDH in brain homogenates (group I), reduced fertility index - 67% versus 100% of the controls. In P3 - increased erythrocyte count (group II), changes in the electrophoretic protein profile of serum (group II); reduction of ChEA (groups I and II) and CytO (group II) in liver, reduced ChEA in brain (group II). The results obtained suggest an eventual high real and potential risk for the human generation, when the males are exposed to considerable concentrations (doses) of lead under working conditions.