Relationship between alpha-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration and blood lead in calves from lead contaminated farm.

In order to investigate useful indicators of lead contamination, 108 Japanese Black calves from a lead-contaminated farm were used. The lead concentrations in blood (Ph-B), delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activities, and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations were examined. A significant negative correlation was obtained between Pb-B concentrations and ALA-D activities (r = -0.621, p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was obtained between Ph-B concentrations and FEP concentrations (r = 0.850, p < 0.01). The calves were divided by Pb-B concentrations (micrograms/100 ml) into 5 groups (A = < or = 30, B = 31 approximately 90, C = 91 approximately 150, D = 151 approximately 210, E = > or = 211) to observe the relation of ALA-D activities, FEP concentrations and ALA-D activities in group B (r = -0.706, p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was obtained between Pb-B concentrations and FEP concentrations in groups A, B and D (A = r = 0.496, p < 0.01; B = r = 0.686, p < 0.01; D = r = 0.529, p < 0.05). These results indicate that FEP concentrations were good indicators of lead contamination.