[Retention, absorbability and metabolic efficiency of iron in lead depleted rats (author's transl)].

In lead-depleted rats retention, absorbability and metabolic efficiency of iron were determined. In comparison with control rats in lead-depleted rats, whose mothers were already depleted, the whole iron retention of the organism as well as the iron retention of selected organs were heavily reduced. Also the iron absorbability of lead-depleted rats was impaired whereas the metabolic efficiency of iron was higher than in control rats. The interactions between iron and lead indicate a function of lead in iron absorption.