Duodenal uptake of lead by suckling and weanling rats.

The aim of the current study was to determine the site of absorption of Pb by suckling rats. When 203PbCl2 (carrier-free) plus Pb-acetate (50 micrograms/g BW) was intragastrically administered to rat pups aged 10 and 14 days, mucosal uptake of Pb, measured 2 h after intubation, was manyfold greater in the duodenum than in other regions of the small intestine. By 24 days of age, this duodenal uptake was no longer apparent. In suckling pups the duodenal content of Pb became undetectable by 24 h postintubation; in contrast, ileal uptake was minimal at 2 h but increased progressively through 24 h. The ileal uptake component was also age-dependent, having disappeared by 24 days of age. These findings suggest that it is the duodenum where Pb absorption occurs, whereas ileal uptake represents intestinal retention. To assess the role of the milk diet in the elevated Pb absorption by the duodenum of suckling animals, the effect of fasting following intubation was determined. The duodenal uptake of Pb was substantially higher in fasted pups than in suckled littermates. Correspondingly, blood Pb levels were more than 4-fold higher in fasted pups than in suckled pups. We conclude that the enhanced absorption of Pb in the suckling rat is due to duodenal absorption and that this absorptive process is even further enhanced in the absence of milk.