EFFECTS OF CHRONIC DIETARY LEAD IN AMERICAN KESTRELS (FALCO SPARVERIUS)

Abstract

American kestrels were fed a diet containing 0, 10, or 50 ppm Pb powder for at least 5 mo. Blood .delta.-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in birds receiving 50 ppm Pb was as low as 20% of controls but no significant effects were noted in packed cell volume (PCV) or Hb concentration. Mean liver Pb residues in birds fed 50 ppm Pb were 1.3 and 2.4 ppm (dry wt) for males and females, respectively. Liver Pb residues in birds fed 10 ppm Pb were not significantly greater than controls. There was no significant correlation between blood ALAD activity and blood Pb concentration, no consistent histopathological lesions were noted, and body and organ weights were not affected.