No abstract

Heavy metals are persistent environmental contaminants, and wild animals are increasingly exposed to the harmful effects of compounds of anthropogenic origin, even in areas distant from industrial centers. We used atomic absorption spectrometry to determine levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in liver and kidney of wild Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in Poland. Cd concentrations in liver (0.21 ± 0.44 μg/g) and in kidney (2.81 ± 4.52 μg/g) were lower in juvenile than in adult beavers. Pb concentrations in liver (0.08 ± 0.03 μg/g) and kidney (0.08 ± 0.03 μg/g) were similar among all individuals, while both Cu and Zn levels were higher in liver (Cu 9.2 ± 4.5 μg/g; Zn 35.7 ± 3.5 μg/g) than in kidney (Cu 3.7 ± 1.1 μg/g; Zn 21.5 ± 2.7 μg/g). Cu levels also differed between juveniles and adults. We reviewed the literature reporting metal concentrations in beavers. Our results indicate metal contamination in beavers away from important industrial emission sources and suggest the natural environment should be regularly monitored to ensure their levels are below recommended, legal values.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in the liver, kidneys, and muscles of European beavers (Castor fiber) and thus to evaluate the degree of heavy metals contamination in Warmia and Mazury region in Poland. The study was conducted on free-living beavers captured in region of Warmia and Mazury during autumn 2011. Concentrations of the elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The presence of the metals was detected in all individual tissue samples. Mean Pb and Hg concentrations were relatively low. However, the high mean Cd level, especially in the kidneys (7.933 mg/kg) and liver (0.880 mg/kg) was demonstrated. Despite the fact that region of Warmia and Mazury is considered to be "ecologically clean", the conducted studies indicate that systematic monitoring for the presence of heavy metals is necessary not only in industrialised but also in agricultural regions, as well as in natural ecosystems.

No abstract

In the present study influence of doxazosin on the porcine urinary bladder contractility has been examined. Immature pigs were treated for 30 days with: a) doxazosin (n = 5) per os at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg b.w. or b) placebo (n = 5; control group). Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and urinary bladder strips from the trigone were suspended in organ baths. The tension of the smooth musce was measured before and after exposition to acetylocholine (ACh; 10 -5 -10 -3 M), norepinephrine (NE; 10 -9 -10 -7 M) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; 10 -7 -10 -5 M). Both the ACh and 5-HT at the highest doses significantly increased the contractility in each group, but this response was weaker in doxazosin-treated animals. NE caused relaxation in both groups, but the effect was weaker in doxazosine-treated group. The results of our study have shown that long-term administration of doxazosin caused a desensitization of the detrusor smooth muscle for in vitro applied mediators of the autonomic nervous systems.