Effect of Administration of Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate on Nursing Calves with a High Lead Contamination

Abstract

Thirty-nine Japanese Black beef cattle, 10 days of age, with a high contamination of lead were i. v. injected with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Ca, Na₂-EDTA) 1g/head/day (32-37mg/kg). Ca, Na₂-EDTA was administered for 5 days and this was repeated after a rest of 2 days. The determination of lead concentration in the blood and blood examinations were done periodically 1 week to 10 weeks after the administration of Ca, Na₂-EDTA Results obtained were as follows: 1) Although the lead concentration in the blood of the calves increased from 1 to 4 weeks after administration of Ca, Na₂-EDTA, it began to decrease from the 7 week and the level at the 10 week was found significantly lower than that of before administration (p<0.05). The calves had been reared in three cattlesheds (No.1-No.3). The change in the lead concentration of calves in each cattleshed indicated that calves in No.1 and No.2 decreased early, but calves in No.3 decreased late. 2) The change in the activity of erythrocyte δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase of the calves in each cattleshed indicated that calves in No.1 increased from 1 weeh to 10 week after administration of Ca, Na₂-EDTA, but calves in No.2 and No.3 did not change. 3) The free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration, erythrocyte number, packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentrations of calves showed an increase after Ca, Na₂-EDTA administration. 4) The activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase of calves decreased from 1 week after Ca, Na₂-EDTA administration. 5) There was the lead poisoning in 7 calves in No.2 and No.3. No significant correlation with the lead concentration of calves at 10 days of age was found between the affected and non-affected calves. These results indicate that either of calves were in danger of lead poisoning, or the lead concentration in the blood of the calves showed a decrease after Ca, Na₂-EDTA administration.