Lead toxicokinetics following intravenous and oral administration in non–lactating ewe: A preliminary study

• Boufedda Nadia University of Batna 1, Institute of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Department, Research laboratory environment, production, and animal health (LESPA). Batna 05000, Algeria. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0501-0770
• Sellaoui Sassia University of Batna 1, Institute of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Department, Research laboratory environment, production, and animal health (LESPA). Batna 05000, Algeria. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2485-433X
• Arab Hadda University of Batna 1, Institute of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Department, Research laboratory environment, production, and animal health (LESPA). Batna 05000, Algeria. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9869-129X
• Boudaoud Amine University of Batna 1, Institute of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Department, Research laboratory environment, production, and animal health (LESPA). Batna 05000, Algeria. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0020-3014
• Mehennaoui Smail University of Batna 1, Institute of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Department, Research laboratory environment, production, and animal health (LESPA). Batna 05000, Algeria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e35706

Abstract

The present study aims to describe the metabolism of the lead in sheep (Ovis aries) by implementing a toxicokinetic approach and to determine the bioavailability. A clinically healthy, one–year–old, non–lactating ewe (40 kg) received a single intravenous dose of lead acetate (0.165 mg Pb·kg-1) followed by oral administration mg Pb·kg-1) after a 40 day w Lead, zinc, copper and calcium levels in the diet were measured before feeding. Serial blood samples were collected over 5 hours (h) (intravenous) and 9 h (oral) and analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Concentration–time data were fitted to a two compartment model (bicompartmental biexponential for intravenous; biexponential with absorption term for oral) to derive distribution and elimination halflives, clearance, volumes of distribution, mean residence time, area under the curve, and absolute bioavailability. Analysis of ewe feed revealed excessive calcium intake. Following intravenous dosing, lead peaked at 870 µg·L-1, with a rapid distribution (T½α = 0.004 h) and slowelimination (T½β = 6.4 h). Oral administration yielded a lower peak (522 µg·L-1) with absolute bioavailability of only 2% (High dietary calcium likely suppressed gastrointestinal absorption), while steady–state volume of distribution (0.275 L·kg-1) indicated extensive tissue accumulation. The findings highlight compartmental modelling as a critical tool for assessing lead toxicokinetic in ruminants. 

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