Enhanced plutonium absorption in iron-deficient mice.

The total body burden of plutonium 24 or 96 hr following a single gastric intubation was approximately fourfold greater in iron-deficient than in iron-replete mice. There was also a more rapid translocation of plutonium from soft tissues to bone in the iron-deficient mice by 96 hr after gavage. In the iron-replete group only liver concentrations of plutonium increased during the corresponding time period.