Absorption of radioactive lead (210Pb) by different parts of the intestine in young and adult rats.

Absorption of radioactive lead (210Pb) was studied in an intestinal preparation from adult and young rats. Absorption was higher in the jejunal parts than in the duodenum or colon. Moreover, absorption in young rats was greater than in adults. No difference in absorption was found after loading with large amounts of lead. Maintaining the animals on a low calcium diet decreased rather than increased lead absorption.