Changes in the adrenals in lead treated rats

Indicators of Immunotoxicity in Populations of Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus) Inhabiting an Abandoned Oil Refinery

“…Effects of hazardous waste products on liver mass in wild cotton rats have been reported with variable results ranging from no detectable differences (Elangbam et al, 1989) to both increased and decreased mass (Rattner et al, 1993). Laboratory rodent studies have revealed decreased adrenal mass (Chowdhury et al, 1986) and increased spleen mass (Cory-Slechta, 1990) following lead exposure. Likewise, erythrocyte parameters are also sensitive to environmental contaminants.…”

Effect of Subacute Exposure to Lead and Estrogen on Immature Pre-Weaning Rat Leukocytes

“…(a) Lead decreases plasma levels (Mahaffey et al 1982) and action (Long & Rosen 1994) of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D 3 , which stimulates macrophage differentiation and plays a role in monocytes and activated lymphocytes due to the presence, in these cells, of vitamin D receptors (Thomasset 1994). (b) Lead induces a stress reaction (Nation et al 1987), that is characterized by the synthesis of specific stress proteins (Shelton et al 1986), an alteration of the hormonal response to stress (Chowdhury et al 1986;Agrawal & Chansouria 1989) and an increase in plasma levels of glucocorticoids (Vyskocil et al 1991); the latter is known to inhibit several immune mechanisms (Cupps & Fauci 1982;Tchernitchin et al 1990). (c) Lead induced alteration at the hypothalamus-pituitary level may also interfere with immune responses.…”