[Survey on cattle serum and hair selenium around ceramic industries of Isfahan-Iran]

Selenium is an essential trace element while having a potential toxicity. It can be identified and measured in urine, milk and hair. Samples of serum and hair from six dairy farms at different radius around ceramic industries of Isfahan [0.1, 1.5 and 2.5km, 2 farms in each zone and 24 cattle in each distance] were randomly taken. Samples [serum and hair] were also taken from 2 farms, 1 5 km away from the polluting sources, as control group. The concentration of selenium in serum and hair samples were measured against certified, standard solutions by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results revealed that the mean selenium concentration of hair, at the radius of 0.1 km from ceramic industries, was significantly higher than control group [P<0.05]. This concentration was significantly lower than the concentration of hair selenium at the radius of 1.5 km from the ceramic industries. The selenium concentration of hair and serum at the radius of 1.5 km was higher than those of other distances [P<0.05]. The results of selenium measurements in the region showed a possible presence of sub clinical selenium deficiency. Meanwhile, it could be concluded that the level of pollution have not been at a level that can cause Poisoning, rather a compensation of this trace element occurred in the area, which was not still able to maintain normal selenium concentration. It seems that the higher concentration of selenium at the radius of 1.5 km may be due to the pattern of precipitation of pollutants around the ceramic industries. It was concluded that the presence of ceramic industries in the region partially Compensated the low concentration of selenium in the region which was not still enough to compensate the deficiency. Furthermore, the findings of this study, revealed the potential use of hair selenium as indicator of body status of this trace element

Cattle hair as a biomarker of lead pollution in the region of the Shiraz oil and petrochemical industries in Iran

This survey aimed to evaluate the level of lead [Pb] pollution in cattle in the vicinity of the Shiraz oil and petrochemical industries using hair samples. Dairy farms located within 10 km of the Shiraz oil and petrochemical industries were identified and divided into four groups. Farms that were located in the radial zones of 0.5-1.5 km, 1.5-5 km, 5-7 km, 7-10.5 km were considered as groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Fifteen cattle from a farm that was located far from the polluting areas comprised the control group [E]. Head hair samples were collected from fifteen age-matched cows from each of the five groups in each season round year. Cattle that were located closer to the oil and petrochemical industries had higher hair Pb concentration. In all groups, the hair lead concentrations of cattle that were reared near to the oil industry were significantly higher than of those reared in the region of the petrochemical industry [p<0.05]; and showed pollution factors of about two folds when groups in the same distances of oil and petrochemical industries were compared. In this study, there was a declining trend in hair lead concentration from spring to winter from 8.3 to 2.6 ppm and from 4 to 2.2 ppm in cows located near to the oil and petrochemical industry plants, respectively

Effect of lead on thyroid function in sheep

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of long-term low-dose administration of lead [Pb] on thyroid function in sheep. In this experiment 10 healthy Iranian male sheep, aged about one-year-old were randomly allocated into two equal groups of control [n = 5] and experiment [n = 5]. Both groups were kept under the same conditions of food and environment. The treatment group received lead acetate [5 mg/kg/day] orally for 8 weeks. Blood sampling of two groups was done on the same days, on days 0 [before receiving lead acetate in treatment group], 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 after lead administration, every morning [8 to 9 a.m.]. The function of the thyroid was evaluated by measuring the levels of serum thyroid hormones T3, T4, FT3, FT4 and TSH. The hepatic function in both groups was evaluated by measuring hepatic enzyme activities including alanin amino transferase [ALT], aspartate aminotreansferase [AST], gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT], and total bilirubin [TBIL]. Serum levels of T3 [on days 14, 56 and 70] T4 [on days 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70], FT3 [on days 56 and 70], FT4 [on days 42, 56 and 70] and TSH [on days 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70] significantly decreased in lead-treated sheep when compared to the control group [P<0.05]. Serum enzyme activities of ALT [on days 28 and 42], AST [on days 28, 42, 56 and 70] and TBIL [on days 28 and 70] in Pb treated sheep increased significantly in comparison with the control group [P<0.05]. Our findings suggest that Pb exposed sheep can be at risk of low thyroid function

[Effect of orally administered ivermectin on some blood haematological and biochemical factors in donkeys [Eqqus asinus]]

Five healthy adult male Iranian donkeys [Equus asinus] were selected and Ivermectin [0.2,0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg, orally at different times] for 14 days was administered. Before dosing, control blood samples were taken on day 0. Blood samples were taken on days 1,2,3,7 and 14 following ivermectin administration at different doses. The results showed that the activity of serum AST and LDH increased on days 7 and 14 following ivermectin [0.2, 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg, orally] administration [p<0.05]. ALP activity and BUN concentration increased significantly on day 14 following ivermectin [0.2, 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg, orally] administration [p<0.05]. Changes of ablumin, creatinin,glucose, total protein, Phosphorous and calcium concentrations and hemoglobin, PCV, MCH, MCHC, MCV and percentages of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and platelet numbers were not significant [p>0.05]. As it was shown in short term, no abnormal clinical and laboratory findings were detected following different oral doses of ivermectin and it seems that the drug can be safely administered to this species

Study on correlations among ceruloplasmin, copper of serum, liver and kidney of goats in shahrekord slaughterhouse

In order to determine the copper status and correlation between the ceruloplasmin and copper of serum and among the copper of serum, liver and kidney of slaughtered goats in Shahrekord, blood, liver and kidney samples [10 gr] from 100 goats were gathered. The amounts of ceruloplasmin and copper of serum, liver and kidney were measured by Sunderman - Nomoto and Shimadzu atomic absorption method, respectively. Results were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, Chi square test. The mean serum ceruloplasmin value of goats was 190_40.2 mg/L. The corresponding value for the copper of serum was 14.32 +/- 2.42 micro mol/L. Mean liver and kidney copper levels were respectively 4596.08 +/- 1967.5 and 271.98 +/- 59.81 micro mol/Kg. There was a significant correlation [p < 0.05] between the level of ceruloplasmin and copper of serum [r = 0.85]. There was also a correlation [p < 0.05] between copper of serum and liver [r = 0.56], copper of serum and kidney [r = 0.36] and copper of liver and kidney [r = 0.22]. Kidney copper concentration in 7% of goats were lower than 199.89 micro mol/Kg and serum copper level in 4% of goats were between 6.29-11.01 micro mol/L. They indicated that between 4 to 7 percent of goats had marginal copper deficiency. Data shows low correlation among variables and only correlation between serum copper and ceruloplasmin was high. It could be concluded that copper deficiency can occur under certain conditions in Shahrekord

[ therapeutic effects of oral administration of garlic extract and tablet on experimentally lead acetate poisoning in mouse]

To study the therapeutic effects of garlic extract and tablet on lead poisoning in mouse. Experimental study. Eighty mature male mice with 22-25g body weight. Mice were divided into 8 groups of 10 mice each. All groups received lead acetate [5mg/kg of bady weight] for 21 weeks and after then treated daily for another 4 weeks as follows: group A1, 500mg/kg fresh garlic; group A2, 250mg/kg fresh garlic; group A3, 125mg/kg fresh garlic; group B1, 1/4 Garlet tablet per kg body weight [Eq. to 500 mg fresh garlic]; group B2, 1/8 Garlet tablet per kg body weight [Eq. to 250 mg fresh garlic]; group B3, 1/16 Garlet tablet per kg body weight [Eq. to 125 mg fresh garlic]; group C, 5mg/kg lead acetate and group D did not received any thing in both the first 4 and the second 4 weeks. These results showed that daily administration of fresh garlic [preferably 250-500 mg/kg] or Garlet tablet [1/4 of one garlet tablet per kg body weight] can have therapeutic effects on mice with chronic lead administration. Result showed that garlic and garlet tablets [in a lower grade] have the ability to reduce the lead residues in soft tissues as well as bone in chronic lead poisoned mouse. So, it can be concluded that garlic can be used for lead poisoning therapy in mouse and probably in human and other animals. Moreover, fresh garlic or garlet tablet in aforementioned dose could be used in areas with lead pollution

Study of the effects of experimental hypothyroidism on clinical hematological and serum biochemical factors in pregnant ewes

The objectives of this experiment were to determine clinical and clinicopathological changes in hypothyroid pregnant ewes [3-4 months]. Experiment was carried out using 12 Iranian crossbred ewes aged between 3-3.5 years old, with body weight 45-65 kg. The animals were divided into two groups, group A: 4 ewes as control and group B: 8 ewes for the experiment. Hypothyroidism was induced by giving thiourea 50 mg/kg body weight daily to each animal of group B. The respiratory, heart rates and temperature were measured. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, once weekly. At the end of experiment the animals became lethargic, weak and anemic. Finally, 4 ewes died, 2 ewes aborted and 2 ewes delivered stillbirth. There was a significant difference [P<0.05] between respiratory rate of group A and group B at the third and fourth weeks. The hematological analysis showed significant reduction in erythrocyte and leukocyte counts at the end of the experiment. The treated ewes showed significant hypoalbuminemia [P<0.05], hyperlipidemia [P<0.05] and hypercholesterolemia [P<0.01]. A significant decline [P<0.01] was detected in HDL as well as a significant increase [P<0.01] was observed in LDL serum levels of treated ewes. There was a highly significant decrease [P<0.01] in the values of T3 and T4. In conclusion, hypothyroidism in pregnant ewes leads to clinical and clinicopathological changes as well as abortion and stillbirth

Effect of dried garlic powder [allium sativum] on lead content of different tissues following subclinical lead poisoning in goats

Efficacy of garlic [Allium sativum] to reduce tissue lead concentration was evaluated experimentally in goats. Eight crossbred female goats, randomly divided into two groups [A and B] were used. Goats of groups A and B received lead acetate orally at the dose of 80 mg/kg body weight, daily for 5 days. At the end of the period, goats of group B received dried garlic powder at the dose of 45 g/day/animal, orally for 5 days. Goats of group A served as lead exposed untreated controls. Comparison between mean lead concentrations of serum, urine and different tissues [bone, lung, heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle] of group A and B at the end of experiment showed respectively 69.6, 32.35,46.7, 34.2,27, 24.8, 9.6 and 46.6 percent reduction in group B [P<0.05]. Use of garlic dry powder following subclinical lead poisoning in goats was found to reduce tissue lead concentration considerably indicating the potential therapeutic activity of garlic against lead toxicity in goats

Effects of experimental proximal duodenal obstruction on clinical, hematologieal, serum and urine biochemical changes in sheep

The objectives of this experiment were to determine clinical and clinicopathological changes after proximal duodenal obstruction in sheep. Experiments were carried out on seven Iranian crossbred male sheep aged between 2-2.5 years and weighing 45-50 kg. All operative procedures were performed under general anesthesia by intravenous infusion of sodium thiopental. A polyethylene tube reinforced with braided cotton tape was surgically placed around the duodenum 5 to 6 cm caudal to the pylorus. Experimental observations commenced two days before tightening the ligatures and inducing obstruction. Measurements at this stage were considered as the control values. Clinical [appetite, urination, defecation, ruminal contractions, temperature, respiratory and heart rates] and clinicopathological indices [hematological parameters, concentrations of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorous, urea nitrogen, creatinine and acid-base status in serum and urine] were determined simultaneously at 12 hrs intervals for 72 hrs. At the end of the experiment the animals became lethargic, anorexic, weak and dehydrated. Finally, six sheep died and one sheep was slaughtered. There were significant differences [P<0.05] between temperature, respiratory and heart rates of the control and experimental values. Moreover, significant increases [P<0.05] in hematocrit, RBC and WBC counts, hypokalemia [P

Effects of experimental hyper- and hypocalcemia on bile flow and composition in sheep

Experiments were carried out on sixteen Iranian cross-bred sheep aged between 2-2.5 years old, with body weight between 35-45 kg. All operative procedures were performed under anaesthesia by intra-juguglar infusion of sodium thiopental. One cannula into the proximal duodenum and the second into gallbladder were inserted. Experiments commenced approximately 10 days after surgical preparations. Bile and blood samples were obtained simultaneously at one-hour intervals for six hours. Bile flow and concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, cholesterol, bilirubins, total solids of bile and calcium of serum were measured. Bile flow and composition as well as calcium of serum in this stage were considered as control group. Hypercalcemia was induced by intra-jugular adminstration of calcium borogluconate. Blood and bile samples were obtained using the same procedure as control group. After 10 days, hypocalcemia was induced by intra-jugular adminstration of Na2EDTA. Blood and bile samples were obtained using the same procedure as control group. The results indicated that, bile flow decreased significantly in hypercalcemic group [P<0.05], but did not change significantly in hypocalcemic group. The concentrations of biliary calcium, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin and total solids increased significantly in hypercalcemic group [P<0.05]. During hypocalcemia the concentration of biliary potassium decreased significantly [P<0.05]. Bile flow and biliary calcium decreased respectively and increased significantly more in male than in female sheep [P<0.05]. In conclusion hypercalcemia decreases bile flow and increases biliary calcium, but hypocalcemia did not change bile flow and biliary calcium