Sampling of cortical and trabecular bone for lead analysis: method development in a study of lead mobilization during pregnancy.

The paper describes a methodological approach to the investigation of maternal-fetal transfer of lead in a non-human primate species, with particular focus on skeletal tissue, which is known to be a site of lead deposition. Eight female cynomolgus monkeys were dosed with lead acetate during gestation, and in four of the animals, the isotopic composition of the lead was modified by enriching the amount of the stable isotope 204Pb included in the dose. Biopsy and dissection procedures for the preparation of bone samples for lead analysis and stable lead isotope analysis are described. Emphasis is placed on the containment of potential contamination of the samples by lead during preparation. Containment procedures included: use of a Class 100 clean room, special cleaning regimes and use of Teflon containers and stainless steel instruments. Preliminary data of lead concentrations in adult bone (trabecular and cortical) and fetal bone subsequent to the dosing regimen of lead during pregnancy, suggest notable differences between the two bone "compartments" examined. The bone samples of fetuses from the dams which had received enriched 204Pb showed drastically reduced 206Pb/204Pb isotope ratios.