Concentration levels of cadmium and lead in the raw and processed meat of Helix pomatia snails.

This work reports on cadmium and lead contaminations in the edible snail Helix pomatia harvested in Poland. One hundred and 24 samples of Helix pomatia meat collected from seven provinces (voivodeships) of Poland were analyzed for their trace metal levels by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The research was conducted in 2 stages. The 1st stage analyzed snail meat prior to any further technological treatment (raw meat). In the 2nd stage, the trace element levels were measured in meat subjected to technological treatment (processed meat). The trace element contents in raw meat samples ranged from 0.06 mg kg-1 to 0.22 mg kg-1 for Cd and from 0.06 mg kg-1 to 0.18 mg kg-1 for Pb. The analyses revealed an increase in the cad- mium content from 0.12 mg kg-1 to 0.18 mg kg-1 in thermally treated snail meat and no changes in lead concentration during the two-stage heat treatment. Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 does not specify the Cd and Pb residue limits in meat of terrestrial edible snails. The limits are set for in- vertebrate aquatic organisms meat (i.e. shellfish, mollusc, cephalopod) and range from 0.5 mg/kg to 1.5 mg/kg of tissue fresh weight for Pb and from 0.5 mg kg -1 to 1 mg kg-1 for Cd (EU Commis- sion 2006). The results demonstrate that the land snail Helix pomatia has a tendency to bioaccu- mulate trace elements, and the cooking process is likely to affect (increase) the Cd content in the snail meat.

Sperm quality and selected biochemical parameters of seminal fluid in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs is most commonly associated with age and increasing concentrations of dihydrotesterone, a hormone that stimulates growth and secretion of the prostatic epithelial cells. During this process, the biochemical composition of prostatic secretion changes, which can affect the quality of semen and limit the ability of the sperm to contribute to fertilization. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine possible correlation between BPH and biological quality of semen. The study was performed in 11 sexually mature dogs of various breeds. Animals were divided into two groups: healthy dogs (Group I; n = 5; mean age 4.32; SEM = 1.28) and dogs with BPH (Group II n = 6; mean age 6.16; SEM = 0.65). Semen and prostate secretions were collected and evaluated in this study. Standard semen examinations were conducted in the ejaculates collected; moreover, the extent of apoptosis and DNA defragmentation was determined. The selected biochemical parameters were determined in the prostate secretion. According to the examination results, there were no significant differences in standard semen parameters between the two groups of dogs. Nevertheless, morphological tests of semen in dogs with BPH demonstrated elevated percentages of primary defects in spermatozoa. A significant increase (P = 0.01) in DNA defragmentation of sperm was found in dogs with BPH. Moreover, changes in the biochemical composition of prostate secretion were demonstrated. In dogs with BPH, pH of prostate secretions was greater (P = 0.03), concentrations of cholesterol increased while concentrations of Zn and Cu decreased. The study findings reveal that BPH does not change semen quality in dogs.

Contents of zinc, copper, chromium and manganese in silver foxes according to their age and mineral supplementation.

Serum, livers and kidneys of 30 silver foxes from one breeding farm were subjected to analysis of the four microelements contents. The samples derived from 3 groups of animals (n = 10) selected according to age and developed reproduction disorders. Cu, Cr and Mn were determined by a graphite furnace AAS whereas Zn by the flame AAS methods. Serum levels of Zn were the least variable (x (n = 30) = 4.72 +/- 2.313 microg x mL(-1)) and the mean of Cu content was 0.26 +/- 0.244, of Cr was 0.029 +/- 0.032 and of Mn was 0.074 +/- 0.085 microg x mL(-1). The livers and kidneys contained respectively: 159.9 +/- 23.66 and 74.25 +/- 14.44 microg g(-1) of Zn; 34.03 +/- 12.43 and 13.66 +/- 1.67 microg g(-1) of Cu as well as 6.28 +/- 0.97 and 2.60 +/- 0.33 microg g(-1) of Mn. The most variable was Cr level achieving 1.00 +/- 1.06 and 1.43 +/- 2.64 microg g(-1) (all results per gram of wet weights). The differences between means and medians within the age groups did not exceed 41%, however chromium was an exception, its values differed more than 2 times. High zinc level found both in the serum and the organs resulted from its concentration in feedstuff being 1040,5 microg g(-1), exceeding the recommended level for farming foxes. Over-supplementation of dietary Zn might suggest connection between subtoxic action of Zn or its interaction with Cu or Cr followed by subsequent effect on reproduction events. Whether nature of Zn effects derived from direct target action or from Zn - Cu or Zn - Cr interactions have to be solved experimentally. Some foxes contained copper and chromium in livers and kidneys at levels exceeded significantly those concidered as physiological ranges for mammals, whereas manganese was within these limits. Thus, manganese was considered to keep homeostasis status of this element in the examined foxes.

Heavy metal concentration in coat hair and hoof horn in stabled and reserve Polish Konik horses.

The objective of the study was to determine if there were differences in Cr, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni levels in coat hair and hoof horn between Polish Konik horses maintained in stabled and reserve systems in Roztocze National Park in Poland. Summer and winter feeding seasons (seasons of the year in case of hooves) and age of horses were taken into account. 107 samples of hair and hooves, as well as all kinds of feed and sources of water available for the horses were examined. The results of the study indicate that the concentration of the elements in the coat hair, hoof horn, feeds and water is usually too low to show possible influence of the system of maintenance in feeding seasons and age effect. The reserve horses are not more exposed to heavy metal contamination than the stabled horses. In the hair, solely Mn level is affected by the systems of maintenance in summer and winter feeding seasons: during winter it is higher, particularly in the stabled system, than during summer. In hooves, Cr concentration is higher in stabled horses than in reserve horses and conversely, Cu content is higher in the reserve horses. Mn content is age-affected both in hair and hooves, likewise is Cu content in the hooves. The results indicate a necessity of Cu compound supplementation in feeding the horses in both systems of maintenance.

The influence of different factors on selenium levels in dairy cow herds in the central-eastern region of Poland.

Selenium has been recognised as a basic bioelement that determines normal development and health of animals and humans alike. Studies of many authors revealed the influence of selenium deficiency on immunity, health, reproduction and production of dairy cows. Selenium deficiency have been reported in a number of countries, for example in different regions of Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the Se levels in blood serum of dairy cows in the Lublin region. In the periods: autumn 2003, winter 2003 and autumn 2004 selenium concentrations were investigated in serum samples from 180 dairy cows. The samples were obtained from 11 farms. The selenium concentrations were estimated with the ASA method. The monitoring studies have found that Se serum levels are dependent on season of the year, physiological period, maintenance systems and methods of feeding. Mean selenium serum levels observed in the study were between 0.21-0.92 micromol/l, especially (micromol/l): lactation 0.74 +/- 0.13, drying-off period 0.67 +/- 0.15, autumn 2003 0.38 +/- 0.17, winter 2003 0.48 +/- 0.16, autumn 2004 0.69 +/- 0.18. These results suggest that selenium should be supplemented, especially in high-producing dairy cow herds.