Blood lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and free erythrocyte porphyrins in normal cattle.

Normal values and ranges were identified for blood lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and free erythrocyte porphyrins in 104 adult female cattle in central Missouri. The blood lead mean value was 0.063 ppm with a standard deviation of 0.028. The blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity mean value was 45.76 U with a standard deviation of 20.57. The free erythrocyte porphyrin mean value was 21.56 micrograms coproporphyrin/100 ml erythrocytes with a standard deviation of 11.36. Analysis of variance did not reveal differences between breeds or age groups for any of the parameters. Correlation was not observed between these parameters either for the group as a whole or within breed or age groups. If lead affects delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and free erythrocyte porphyrin in cattle, it is at a higher exposure level than that which existed in this sampling of adult female cattle.