Erythrocyte δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity in Mallard Ducks: Duration of Inhibition after Lead Shot Dosage

Journal of Wildlife Management
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Abstract

Inhibition of a lead-specific blood enzyme, 8-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), has been utilized to indicate the incidence and degree of lead contamination in canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) (Dieter et al. 1976). This variable was found to be more sensitive to lead than previous tests that have been employed with waterfowl (Locke et al. 1966, 1967), and has proved to be completely reliable (Finley et al. 1976a,b). However, it is not yet known how long ALAD enzyme inhibition persists after a source of high head contamination is removed. The duration of inhibition is critical because too brief a response would result in underestimating the extent of lead contamination in a given year's survey. Moreover, the ALAD enzyme bioassay can be used to identify ducks that have ingested lead shot, as well as those that have ingested low levels of lead in their forage, and this information used to help remove the source of the environmental contamination.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Erythrocyte δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity in Mallard Ducks: Duration of Inhibition after Lead Shot Dosage
Series title Journal of Wildlife Management
DOI 10.2307/3800826
Volume 42
Issue 3
Year Published 1978
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 5 p.
First page 621
Last page 625
Country United States
State Maryland
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