Heavy metals in equine biological components

Abstract

-The objective of this research was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the blood (Pb, Ni and Cd), serum (Cu and Zn) and hair (Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu and Zn) of horses raised in non-industrial and industrial areas (with steel mill), and to verify the possibility to use these data as indicators of environmental pollution. The samples were collected during summer and winter, aiming to verify animal contamination related to environment and season of the year. Copper and Zn contents determined in the serum and Cd and Ni contents obtained in the blood indicated no contamination effects of industries. For some animals, contents of Pb in the blood were higher than those considered acceptable for the species, but without relationship with industrialization and without clinical signs of Pb intoxication. The heavy metals evaluated on the hair of horses in this study were not increased with the presence of industries, but Cu and Cd contents were influenced by the season. The contents of some heavy metals in biological components analyzed were influenced by season sampling; however, serum, blood and hair may not be suitable to indicate differences in environmental contamination between the two contrasting areas. Most part of the heavy metal contents was lower or close to the reference values for horses. Serum, blood and hair components from horses may not be effective as indicators of environmental pollution with heavy metals. Industrialization and seasons have no effects on most part of heavy metals contents from those components.

Biochemical analysis of some serum trace elements in donkeys and horses in Eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…De Souza et al . [ 31 ] reported a higher level of Zn in horses than the obtained results. The low concentrations of Zn in both Arabian horses and Hassawi donkeys can be attributed to insufficient mineral supplementation.…”

“…According to De Souza et al . [ 31 ], serum Cu concentrations can be affected by different areas and by the seasonal changes.…”

Bioaccumulation of Mineral Elements in Different Biological Substrates of Athletic Horse from Messina, Italy

“…Hair analysis has been used to monitor human and animal exposure to mineral elements, as reported by Ward and Savage [ 8 ] and Patra et al [ 9 ]. By contrast, some authors have reported ineffective use of serum, blood, and hair as indicators of environmental pollution [ 10 ]. Milazzo is an area of Sicily that has a high degree of pollution due to the presence of large refinery plants, a power plant, and other factories.…”

Use of spider webs as indicators of air quality assessment of Lahore City

“…; Souza et al . ). This ecological assessment helps researchers to detect, quantifying and understand the significance of exposure to particular environmental contaminants (Liang et al .…”

“…Assessment of heavy metal contaminants is important to evaluate the ecological health of our environment (Zhou et al 2008;Reis et al 2010;Souza et al 2014). This ecological assessment helps researchers to detect, quantifying and understand the significance of exposure to particular environmental contaminants (Liang et al 2011;Wuana & Okieimen 2011).…”