A rapid bioassay system for lead using young Japanese quail.

A rapid bioassay of lead was established in young japanese quail. Each group of 10 day-old birds received deionized water and a purified diet ad libitum for 2 wk. The diet contained 0.2 microgram lead/g. Lead acetate was added to give 14.8, 34.4, 51.2, 74.4, 234, 563, or 1223 microgram total lead/g by analysis. The duodenum, kidneys, liver and tibias were assayed for lead. Consumption of a diet containing either 563 or 1223 ppm lead caused a decrease (P less than or equal to 0.05) in body weight after 1 wk and an increase in free erythrocyte protoporphyrin after 2wk. Inhibition of red blood cell delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (RBC-ALAD) activity occurred in birds consuming as little as 14.8 ppm lead. Packed cell volumes and hemoglobin concentrations were not affected by the dietary treatments. Lead concentrations in tissues from birds fed the lowest level of added lead were greater than those found in the corresponding tissues of control birds. The concentration of lead in the tibia showed the most distinguishable group means and the most nearly linear response; the highest slope was between 14.8 and 110 ppm dietary lead, using log-log transformations. The rapid bioassay is suitable for investigating high lead foods.