Effect of environment and nutrition on minerals, heavy metals and trace elements on Sinai breeding camel. Trace elements [zinc and copper] profile

The present work was preformed to special part of our country, the land which observed four wars in the last century and many trips, journeys from friends and enemies, Sinai, with special reference to animal especially tread as desert boat, the camel. Our data demonstrated that the Camel Dromedary [Camelus dromedaries] in Sinai area, the zinc level in serum was [33.79 +/- 0.17 micro g/dl]; liver [112.57 +/- 0.008 micro g/gm DM], muscle [112.42 +/- 0.04 micro g/gm DM], kidney [103.77 +/- 0.01 micro g/gm DM], heart [54.66 +/- 0.007 micro g/gm DM], spleen [54.66 +/- 0.007 micro g/gm DM], ovary [36.15 +/- 0.05 micro g/gm DM] and testis [15.27 +/- 0.008 micro g/gm DM]. While serum copper concentrations was 54.66 +/- 0.21 micro g/dl; kidney [124.65 +/- 0.017 micro g/gm DM], liver [115.30 +/- 0.24 micro g/gm DM], muscle [111.25+0.45 micro g/gm DM], spleen [55.94 +/- 0.018 micro g/gm DM], heart [48.49 +/- 0.025 micro g/gm DM], ovary [40.80 +/- 0.017 micro g/gm DM] and testis [28.46 +/- 0.016]. The present data revealed that the higher concentrations of both serum zinc and copper levels are present in sera of camels in south Sinai than north Sinai and in the female she-camel than male camel with age related references to over 5 years. The serum zinc level was highest values, in south Sinai especially in female over 5 years [41.87 +/- 0.05 micro g/dl] but lower in female and male age [2-4 years] and males over 5 years in the same area [34.65 +/- 0.22 micro g/dl]. The serum copper concentrations in south Sinai female over 5 years were 57.12 +/- 0.34 micro g/dl compared with female [2-4 years] [53.93 +/- 0.16 micro g/dl]. There was influence of the breeding season on the serum zinc and copper levels in either male or female, the serum zinc concentrations increased during breeding season especially in female in the south Sinai [32.25 +/- 0.18 micro g/dl]. Serum copper level showed high significant increase in its level in female in south Sinai [60.3011.08 micro g/dl] than in north Sinai [56.50 +/- 0.11 micro g/dl]. Zinc concentrations in kidney of she camel were [187.05 +/- 0.013 micro g/gm DM], heart [79.18 +/- 0.005 micro g/gm DM], spleen [58.59 +/- 0.02 micro g/gm DM] and ovary [36.15 +/- 0.05 micro g/gm DM]. Similarly, copper concentrations were higher in kidney [211.05 +/- 0.022 micro g/gm DM], followed by heart [89.35 +/- 0.016 micro g/gm DM], spleen [66.19 +/- 0.018 micro g/gm DM] and ovary [40.80 +/- 0.05 micro g/gm DM] than male in the she-camel. The data indicated that the camel breeds in south Sinai contain higher concentrations of zinc and copper levels than camels in north Sinai and there were significant differences between camels due to age and/or sex and/or breeding season and/or geographical variations

Residual analysis of some heavy metals in water and oreochromis niloticus fish from polluted areas

A total of 30 water samples were collected from three industrial localities in Egypt [Helwan [El-Marazek Bridge], Kaha and Kafr El-Zayat]. Ten water samples were collected from each locality near by and at various distances from the outlet of the local industrial establishments. At the same time, 60 Oreochromis niloticus [O. niloticus] fishes [20 fishes from each locality] were obtained from the same localities of water samples during the period of summer season in 1998. Lead, cadmium, mercury, copper and zinc levels were determined in both water samples and fish flesh by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Moreover, the effect of some heat treatments [frying and roasting] on mercury residues in fish flesh was studied. From the obtained data, it was detected that the highest values of lead, mercury, copper and zinc were found in water samples collected from Kafr El-Zayat, while cadmium was detected at its highest level in water samples collected from Kaha district. On the other hand, it was observed that the highest values of heavy metal residues in fish samples were found in Helwan, while mercury was detected at its highest level in fish samples collected from Kafr El-Zayat. Moreover, it was found that frying had a stronger effect than roasting in decreasing the residual level of mercury in fish samples. The obtained data indicated a correlation between accumulation of heavy metals in fishes and its concentrations in water. Public health importance and the hazardous toxic effects of these heavy metals as well as the suggestive recommendations to minimize water and fish pollution with these heavy metals were discussed