Determination of Heavy Metals in the Liver of Dairy Cows and the Risk to their Health

Abstract

Heavy metals are characterized by their high atomic mass and toxicity to living organisms. This study aimed to investigate the presence of heavy metals in the livers of slaughtered dairy cows and to discuss their possible effects on animal health. In the study, 50 Holstein dairy cows were used. After slaughtering, samples of 4 X 10 g were taken from the liver of the animals for heavy metal analysis. All samples were analyzed for the presence of arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni) using the ICP-OES device. Rumen acidosis and ovarian diseases were found to be the most common diseases in 20 and 13 animals, respectively. None of the samples contained Ni. On average, Al was detected at 4.60±8.71 ppm, as at 0.39±0.11 ppm, Hg at 0.41±0.29 ppm and Pb at 0.04±0.13 ppm. Based on the total number of animals, the following prevalence was calculated: 72% for Al, 100% for As, 88% for Hg, 0% for Ni, and 10% for Pb. The study showed that the average as content was in a toxic range. In 28% of the samples, the Al value was categorized as toxic to animal health. The average Hg values, on the other hand, were above the acceptable limits for human health. In summary, the prevalence of toxic heavy metals Al, As and Hg in Holstein livers was quite high.

Keywords

• Aluminum
• Arsenic
• Heavy metal
• Lead
• Liver
• Mercury

Supporting Institution

This Research was supported financially by TÜBİTAK (2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program, Application number 1919B012108462) and Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Research Support and Funding Office (BAP-LÖKAP) with the project no: 22/150/01/3/4.

Project Number

TÜBİTAK 2209-A PROJE NO: 1919B012108462 ve MSKÜ BAP LÖKAP PROJE NO: 22/150/01/3/4.

Thanks

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Slaughterhouse Services Branch Directorate

Süt İneklerinin Karaciğerlerinde Ağır Metal Varlığı ve Sağlık Riski

Abstract

Ağır metaller, yüksek atom ağırlıkları ve canlılar üzerine olan toksisiteleri ile bilinirler. Biyoakümülasyon ile hem insan hemde hayvan dokularında birikim yapma özelliğine sahiptirler. Bu çalışma, kesilen süt sığırlarının karaciğerlerinde ağır metallerin varlığını ve bunların hayvan sağlığına olası zararlarını araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Çalışmada, Holstein süt ineği kullanıldı. Ağır metal analizi için, kesimden sonra hayvanların karaciğerinden 4x10 g örnekler alındı. Yaş yakma yöntemine göre hazırlanan örnekler, ICP-OES cihazı kullanılarak arsenik, alüminyum, kurşun, civa ve nikel varlığı açısından incelendi. Klinik muayenede sırasıyla 20 ve 13 hayvanda, rumen asidozu ve overyum hastalıklarının en yaygın hastalıklar olarak tespit edildi. Karaciğer numunelerinin hiçbirinde nikel bulunmadı. Sırasıyla, alüminyum 4.60±8.71 ppm, arsenik 0.39±0.11 ppm, civa 0.41±0.29 ppm ve kurşun 0.04±0.13 ppm olarak tespit edildi. Yaygınlık yüzdeleri toplam hayvan sayısına göre hesaplandı: Alüminyum %72, arsenik %100, civa %88, nikel %0 ve kurşun %10. Alüminyum numunelerin %28’i hayvan sağlığı açısından kabul edilebilir limitlerin üzerinde tespit edilmiştir. Civa ortalama değerleri ise insan sağlığı için kabul edilebilir limitlerin üzerindedir. Özet olarak, zehirli ağır metaller alüminyum, arsenik ve civanın Holstein karaciğerlerindeki prevalansı oldukca yüksek bulunmuştur.

Keywords

• Ağır metal
• Alüminyum
• Arsenik
• Civa
• Karaciğer
• Kurşun

Project Number

TÜBİTAK 2209-A PROJE NO: 1919B012108462 ve MSKÜ BAP LÖKAP PROJE NO: 22/150/01/3/4.

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