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Draghi S, Fehri NE, Ateş F, Özsobacı NP, Tarhan D, Bilgiç B, Dokuzeylül B, Yaramış ÇP, Ercan AM, Or ME, Cagnardi P, Brecchia G, Curone G, Di Cesare F. Use of Hair as Matrix for Trace Elements Biomonitoring in Cattle and Roe Deer Sharing Pastures in Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2209. [PMID: 39123735 PMCID: PMC11311060 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Intensive cattle breeding's environmental challenges are prompting shifts to extensive, pasture-based systems, influencing nutrient and pollutant uptake. PTEs are essential and non-essential elements, regularly found in the environment and organisms, and in which unbalances lead to health issues. Hair analysis, a non-invasive method, provides retrospective PTE exposure evaluation. This study aims to understand exposure and species-specific accumulation patterns of PTEs in cattle and roe deer sharing pastures in Northern Italy using the hair analysis. Aluminum, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Mg, Fe, and Zn were quantified through the use of ICP-OES. Findings show As levels significantly higher in roe deer due to their selective feeding, while Cd and Pb levels align with other studies. Essential elements like Cu, Fe, and Zn are lower in cattle, possibly due to diet differences. Higher Cr and Ni levels in cattle suggest contamination or physiological differences in accumulation patterns. In conclusion, hair analysis is valuable for monitoring environmental PTE exposure, highlighting significant interspecies differences and the potential of both animals as bioindicators in shared grazing areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Draghi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (N.E.F.); (P.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Nour Elhouda Fehri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (N.E.F.); (P.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Fatma Ateş
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Beykent University, Istanbul 34398, Turkey;
| | - Nural Pastacı Özsobacı
- Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Fatih, Istanbul 34098, Turkey; (N.P.Ö.); (A.M.E.)
| | - Duygu Tarhan
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul 34734, Turkey;
| | - Bengü Bilgiç
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34320, Turkey; (B.B.); (B.D.); (M.E.O.)
| | - Banu Dokuzeylül
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34320, Turkey; (B.B.); (B.D.); (M.E.O.)
| | - Çağla Parkan Yaramış
- Department of Plant and Animal Production, Vocational School of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34320, Turkey;
| | - Alev Meltem Ercan
- Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Fatih, Istanbul 34098, Turkey; (N.P.Ö.); (A.M.E.)
| | - Mehmet Erman Or
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34320, Turkey; (B.B.); (B.D.); (M.E.O.)
| | - Petra Cagnardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (N.E.F.); (P.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (N.E.F.); (P.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Giulio Curone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (N.E.F.); (P.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Federica Di Cesare
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (N.E.F.); (P.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.C.)
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Nava V, Licata P, Biondi V, Catone G, Gugliandolo E, Pugliese M, Passantino A, Crupi R, Aragona F. Horse Whole Blood Trace Elements from Different Sicily Areas: Biomonitoring of Environmental Risk. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:3086-3096. [PMID: 37817046 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03889-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Horses are excellent bioindicators for the assessment of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels and potential bioaccumulation of 28 mineral elements in 75 horse whole blood samples collected from five pollution-prone areas of Sicily, Italy. A direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used for Hg determination, and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for all other elements. A one-way ANOVA test, followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison for post hoc comparison, was applied to assess statistically significant differences between mineral elements and the five experimental groups. The levels of mineral elements in hay and concentrate were below the limits set by Regulation No. 744/2012. The mineral content of whole blood samples was slightly influenced by the region of origin of the horse. p values < 0.05 were statistically meaningful. However, the concentrations of mineral elements in horses' whole blood remained within reference ranges. In conclusion, the present study shows that the mineral content does not represent a toxicological risk for the analyzed horses. In addition, the study areas did not appear to show a high mineral element contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Nava
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Licata
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Vito Biondi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Catone
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Michela Pugliese
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Annamaria Passantino
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168, Messina, Italy
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Aragona F, Cicero N, Nava V, Piccione G, Giannetto C, Fazio F. Blood and hoof biodistibution of some trace element (Lithium, Copper, Zinc, Strontium and, Lead) in horse from two different areas of Sicily. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 82:127378. [PMID: 38171268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Biological monitoring of trace element horses is a well-known tool for investigating potential bioaccumulation in urbanized and industrialized geographical areas. Some biomaterials such as hoof are considered as an important indicator of environmental pollution. Hooves can store trace elements for a long time compared to blood and this represents a scientific key to long-term monitoring of exposure to environmental pollutants. In the present study, samples of equine hoof and blood were taken from an experimental group of horses living in an industrialized area of Sicily (Italy) and from a control group of horses housed in a non-industrialized area of Sicily to evaluate the bioaccumulation of different trace elements in different substrates. METHODS Hoof and blood mineral concentration of Li- Lithium, Cu- Copper, Zn- Zinc, Sr- Strontium and, Pb- Lead was processed by means of Thermo Scientific iCAP-Q ICP-MS spectrometer. Student T-test was applied to evaluate the differences between groups and substrates. Correlation analysis between substrates and hematological parameters was performed. RESULTS Statistical analysis showed a significant statistical difference for Li (p < 0.0001) and Pb (p < 0.0001) between blood and hoof in both groups. A statistically significant difference was observed for Li (p < 0.0001), Cu(p < 0.01), Zn (p < 0.0001) and Pb (p < 0.0001) between substrates in the experimental group. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference of blood Zn (p < 0.01) and hoof Pb (p < 0.01) concentration between groups. Our results revealed a statistically higher concentration of minerals in the blood substrate than in the hoof in both groups. Li (p < 0.0001) and Zn (p < 0.001) were positively correlated between control and experimental group in blood substrate. No correlations were found (P > .05) in hoof between groups for other elements. A positive correlation with WBC was observed in Cu concentration for hoof substrate (p < 0.02) in control group and for Zn in experimental group (p < 0.02). A positive correlation with HGB and HCT was observed for Cu hoof concentration (p < 0.02) in experimental group and PLT resulted positively correlated (p < 0.02) with Pb blood substrate in control group. CONCLUSIONS Horses were not overexposed to these elements in the analyzed groups. The study highlights the role of a new bioaccumulation substrate such as the horse hoof identified as an analytical matrix for the monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nava
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piccione
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Francesco Fazio
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Linhares D, Garcia P, Pimentel A, Gaspar D, Rodrigues ADS. Using cattle hair to assess exposure to essential trace elements in volcanic soils. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 81:127345. [PMID: 38039710 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In areas where cattle graze outdoors, the environmental availability of trace elements is of utmost importance for an adequate intake. Cattle hair trace elements can be used as exposure biomarkers to assess animal intake and help ensure good nutrition and animal welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental exposure to trace elements in cattle grazing outdoors in a volcanic region (São Miguel Island, Azores) and assess the corresponding bioaccumulation factors. METHODS Twenty-nine samples of pasture topsoil were collected in two areas of São Miguel with different geological characteristics: Picos fissure system (basaltic area) and Povoação volcano (trachytic area). Hair from fifty-four animals (calves and dairy cows) was collected in two grazing sites: Ponta Delgada (Picos fissure system) and Povoação (Povoação volcano). All samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after digestion in aqua regia. RESULTS Basaltic soils of the Picos fissure system had significantly higher concentrations of most trace elements, except Mo, when compared with the trachytic soils of Povoação volcano. Hair of calves from Povoação showed higher concentrations of most essential trace elements, except Mg, Cu, and Zn, than hair from calves of Ponta Delgada (considered in this study as a control group since they are raised in a barn). On the other hand, hair from dairy cows grazing in Ponta Delgada showed higher concentrations of most essential trace elements, except Mg, As, and Mo, when compared with hair of cows grazing in Povoação. CONCLUSIONS Cattle hair trace elements are suitable biomarkers for the assessment of the environmental exposure to trace elements in volcanic soils. The results from dairy cows support the uneven distribution of essential trace elements (and their bioavailability) in the different soils of São Miguel, reinforcing the need to graze animals outdoors from an early age. Such practice (grazing cattle outdoors) provides another means of accessing essential trace elements that complemented with feed can reduce the natural depletion of these essential elements in the body due to reproductive phenomena and milk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Linhares
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Garcia
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, and Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Adriano Pimentel
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; CIVISA, Centre for Information and Seismovolcanic Surveillance of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Diogo Gaspar
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Armindo Dos Santos Rodrigues
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
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Agradi S, Munga A, Barbato O, Palme R, Tarhan D, Bilgiç B, Dokuzeylül B, Ercan AM, Or ME, Brecchia G, Curone G, Draghi S, Vigo D, Marongiu ML, González-Cabrera M, Menchetti L. Goat hair as a bioindicator of environmental contaminants and adrenal activation during vertical transhumance. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1274081. [PMID: 38026642 PMCID: PMC10666633 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1274081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autochthonous breeds of livestock are considered a pivotal genetic resource for agriculture, rural development, and food and nutrition security. In the Italian Alps, local livestock breeds are maintained using the traditional alpine farming system based on vertical transhumance, with the use of alpine pastures from late spring to autumn and indoor housing with a hay-based diet for the remaining part of the year. Because of their tight link with the territory of origin, local breeds could be used to biomonitor environmental contaminations. Moreover, animal welfare should also be monitored during transhumance in animals, which are exposed to a sudden farming system change and different types of stressors. For these reasons, this investigation hypothesized that the content of trace elements, heavy metals, and cortisol in the hair of goats changes during vertical transhumance, possibly reflecting different dietary contents and activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study aimed to assess the response of an Italian local goat breed to the change from indoor housing to alpine pasture in summer in terms of hair concentrations of (i) trace elements and heavy metals and (ii) cortisol. The regrown hair of Frisa goats was monthly collected for 2 consecutive years (n = 10 for heavy metals and trace elements and n = 6 for cortisol in 2021, n = 17 for both analyses in 2022), once before vertical transhumance and twice after that event. Hair was then analyzed for trace elements, heavy metals, and cortisol by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. Data were analyzed by multilevel models. The results showed an increase in As content during alpine pasture (p < 0.01), probably reflecting the soil and water As contents of the grazing area, while Mg, Zn, and Al (p < 0.01) followed the opposite trend, decreasing in the second month after vertical transhumance. Hair cortisol concentrations increased during 2 months of alpine pasture (p < 0.001), indicating an increase in the activation of the HPA axis, in agreement with previous studies. Future investigations can consider a longer study period and the development of ad hoc animal welfare indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Agradi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Albana Munga
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Olimpia Barbato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Duygu Tarhan
- Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Bengü Bilgiç
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Banu Dokuzeylül
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Alev Meltem Ercan
- Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Erman Or
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Giulio Curone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Susanna Draghi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Daniele Vigo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | | | - Marta González-Cabrera
- Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Spain
| | - Laura Menchetti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, Italy
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Draghi S, Agradi S, Riva F, Tarhan D, Bilgiç B, Dokuzeylül B, Ercan AM, Or ME, Brecchia G, Vigo D, Arioli F, Di Cesare F, Curone G. Roe Deer ( Capreolus capreolus) Hair as a Bioindicator for the Environmental Presence of Toxic and Trace Elements. TOXICS 2023; 11:49. [PMID: 36668775 PMCID: PMC9864796 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The return to pasture use as an alternative to intensive livestock farming implies some risks with the lack or the excessive presence of potentially toxic elements; in this regard, wild animals have been used as bioindicators for decades. Thus, the purpose of this study is quantifying Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Al, Fe, and Mg in fur from roe deer and understanding if it is a valid bioindicator tool. Hair was collected from 39 hunted roe deer and divided by age (<36 months old/≥36 months old), sex (male/female), and area of origin (urbanized/rural area). The mean concentrations of Fe, Mg, Mn, Al, Cr, and Pb were higher (p < 0.05) in the urbanized group; the mean levels of Mg and Cr were higher (p < 0.05) in older animals; and Cu, Fe, Mg, Cd, and Cr showed a higher accumulation in females. Our findings showed an age-related variation of elements, with higher concentrations in adult animals and females. In conclusion, our findings prove that hair is a valid matrix for this type of survey, and wild animals are good bioindicators for monitoring the presence of trace elements in pastures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Draghi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Stella Agradi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Federica Riva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Duygu Tarhan
- Biophysics Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Topkapı, Turgut Ozal Millet Cd, Fatih, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bengü Bilgiç
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul Universitesi Avcılar Kampusu, Baglariçi Cd. No:7, Avcılar, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Banu Dokuzeylül
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul Universitesi Avcılar Kampusu, Baglariçi Cd. No:7, Avcılar, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alev Meltem Ercan
- Biophysics Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Topkapı, Turgut Ozal Millet Cd, Fatih, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Erman Or
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul Universitesi Avcılar Kampusu, Baglariçi Cd. No:7, Avcılar, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Daniele Vigo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Francesco Arioli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Federica Di Cesare
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Giulio Curone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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Squadrone S, Robetto S, Orusa R, Griglione A, Falsetti S, Paola B, Abete MC. Wildlife hair as bioindicators of metal exposure. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:5073-5080. [PMID: 35112231 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-03074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Animal hair is a useful biomonitoring tool for assessing the occurrence of trace elements in ecosystems. Essential (chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc) and nonessential (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, palladium, platinum, rubidium, tin, and vanadium) elements were investigated in hair of badger (Meles meles), wild boar (Sus scrofa), marmot (Marmota marmota), wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes) and deer (Cervus elaphus) from Northwestern Italy. Badger was found to be the highest bioaccumulator of metals, while wolf, fox and deer recorded the lowest values. Essential elements contribute in higher degree to the sum of metals for all species except for wild boar. Results have shown that animals with omnivorous diet such as badger, marmot and wild boar have metal content (especially Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, V) higher than carnivores (wolf and fox) and herbivores (deer) and could represent an effective sentinel of environmental exposure to metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Squadrone
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy.
| | - Serena Robetto
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy
- National Reference Centre Wild Animal Diseases (CeRMAS) - IZS PLV, Regione Amerique 7/G, Quart, AO, Italy
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy
- National Reference Centre Wild Animal Diseases (CeRMAS) - IZS PLV, Regione Amerique 7/G, Quart, AO, Italy
| | - Alessandra Griglione
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Falsetti
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy
| | - Brizio Paola
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Cesarina Abete
- Chemistry Department, CReAA, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d'Aosta (IZS PLV), via Bologna 148, Turin, Italy
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8
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Monteverde V, Camilleri G, Arfuso F, Pennisi M, Perillo L, Patitò G, Gioia G, Castronovo C, Piccione G. Heavy Metal Levels in Milk and Serum of Dairy Cows from Different Farms Located near an Industrial Area. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192574. [PMID: 36230317 PMCID: PMC9559289 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The increase in waste in the environment due to anthropogenic activities has a strong negative effect on the health of the Earth. Heavy metals are the most important cause of environmental pollution, and they enter into the food chain with a severe negative impact on human and animal health. The presence of heavy metals in milk probably indicates the chronic exposure of animals to these elements, suggesting the usefulness of this biological matrix as an indicator of heavy metal contamination. Therefore, the evaluation of heavy metal concentrations in milk can be a useful tool to monitor the exposure to environmental pollutions and to safeguard the security of both human and animal health status and welfare. Abstract Background: Heavy metals are toxic, non-biodegradable substances able to enter the food chain of cows and then transfer to their milk. This study investigated the relationship between the heavy metal concentrations in serum and milk and the environmental pollutants exposure at two different farms in Ragusa, Italy. Methods: To evaluate the concentrations of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), milk and serum samples were collected from 40 Friesian dairy cows from farm 1 at about 3.7 km from an industrial area (group 1) and 40 Friesian dairy cows from farm 2 at about 400 mt from a greenhouse and 6.0 km from a chemical fertilizer factory (group 2). Results: The concentrations of heavy metals measured in serum and milk showed no statistically significant differences between group 1 and group 2. No significant correlation between heavy metals in serum and milk in group 1 was observed. A positive correlation between Zn concentrations measured in milk and serum samples was observed in group 2 (r = 0.35, p = 0.03). Conclusions: The determination of heavy metals in serum and milk can be an important tool to detect the exposure to environmental pollutants and in monitoring the hygienic state of the environment in which milk is produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Monteverde
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetano Camilleri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(090)-3506640
| | - Melissa Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Perillo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Patitò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Gioia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piccione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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9
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Gao J, Yang D, Sun Z, Niu J, Bao Y, Liu S, Tan Z, Hao L, Cheng Y, Liu S. Changes in Blood Metabolic Profiles Reveal the Dietary Deficiencies of Specific Nutrients and Physiological Status of Grazing Yaks during the Cold Season in Qinghai Province of China. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12080738. [PMID: 36005610 PMCID: PMC9413257 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12080738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the changes in the blood metabolic profiles of grazing yaks during the cold season to reveal their physiological status and seek the nutrients needed to be supplemented. Six castrated yaks (3 years old) with 166.8 kg (standard deviation = 5.3) of liveweight grazed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were used as experimental animals without supplementary feeding. Blood samples of each animal were collected in October and December 2015, and March 2016 for the analysis of serum biochemicals and metabolome. Results showed serum indices involved in protein metabolism in grazing yaks showed greater differences during the cold season than the metabolisms of energy or minerals. Cold stress in December had minor effects on the serum metabolic profiles of yaks compared with those in October. Yaks in October and December shared seven differential serum metabolites and enrichments of the “arachidonic acid metabolism” and “glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism” pathways compared with those in March caused by the shortage of feeds. Summarily, the nutrient deficiency would be influential on the physiological status of grazing yaks during the cold season, especially on the protein metabolism, which could be improved by supplementary feeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Deyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Zhanying Sun
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jianzhang Niu
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Yuhong Bao
- Institute of Grassland Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Suozhu Liu
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
| | - Zhankun Tan
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China
| | - Lizhuang Hao
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
- Correspondence: (L.H.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yanfen Cheng
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (L.H.); (Y.C.)
| | - Shujie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
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10
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Safonov V, Salimzade E, Ermilova T, Chernitskiy A. Retrospective diagnosis of intrauterine diselementosis in newborn calves. BIO WEB OF CONFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20225200033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the methods in diselementosis diagnosis, i.e. in determination of the trace elements content excess, deficiency or imbalance in the organism, is screening the hair elemental composition. It is known that the tail brush hair growth in cattle begins from the 7th month of gestation. The authors suggested that the tail brush hair elemental composition in newborn calves could be used for integral evaluation of the trace elements supply to the fetus in the last months of its intrauterine development. In order to elaborate criteria for retrospective diagnosis of the intrauterine diselementosis, 125 clinically healthy 1-day-old calves (67 male and 58 female animals) were examined; they were obtained from Simmental cows with a physiological course of gestation under biogeochemical conditions of the Central Black Earth region of the Russian Federation. The concentration of 11 essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mn, Se, Si, V, Zn) and 8 toxic (As, B, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sr) trace elements were studied in samples of unpigmented guard hairs from the animal tail brush by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Nexion 300D, Perkin Elmer, USA). The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean, median, minimum, and maximum. Reference values of essential and toxic trace elements concentration in the hair of newborns were determined using the percentile scales separately for the groups of male and female animals. Group comparison was conducted using the independent samples Mann-Whitney U test. Research results demonstrated that physiologically determined the range of the trace elements concentration in the hair of newborn calves corresponded to the interval between the 25th and 75th percentiles. Values beyond the specified interval boundaries were proposed to be considered as deviations corresponding to the diselementosis.
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11
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Composition of Stallion Seminal Plasma and Its Impact on Oxidative Stress Markers and Spermatozoa Quality. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111238. [PMID: 34833114 PMCID: PMC8624310 DOI: 10.3390/life11111238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition of seminal plasma of individual sires varies and so does the fertilizing ability. Micro and macro elements along with seminal enzymes, hormones, proteins, and lipids contained in seminal plasma are essential for the proper physiological function of spermatozoa. However, elevated levels against the normal physiological values, especially in the case of trace metals, result in the production of reactive oxygen species. The deficiency of antioxidants in the seminal plasma that could scavenge free radicals causes an impairment of spermatozoa quality. Ejaculates were obtained from 19 stallions. The fresh semen was analyzed to evaluate qualitative parameters of spermatozoa in terms of the motility, viability, and integrity of DNA. Separated seminal plasma underwent the assessment of the chemical and biochemical composition and RedOx markers. Based on the obtained concentrations of individual chemical elements, the correlation analysis suggested a negative impact of Cu in seminal plasma on the SOD, GPx, and LPO. Contrary, positive correlation was detected between FRAP and motility features. While Cu negatively correlated with sperm motion parameters, the adverse effect on viability was suggested for Cd. Our data suggest that seminal plasma has a potential due to its availability to become the potential biomarker of the reproductive health of farm animals.
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