RESUMEN
Cadmium is one of many metals that are not physiologically or biochemically essential to organisms. This element is extremely dangerous as it is easily absorbed and remains in tissues for a long time. Long exposure to high doses of cadmium may cause biochemical and functional changes in some critical organs. In this study, wheat grains contaminated with cadmium chloride were used to test the influence of cadmium on male bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Doses used in the experiment were environmentally realistic: 0.25 microg g-1 (control), 15 microg g-1, and 40 microg g-1 cadmium (dry weight). The animals were given cadmium-contaminated food and clean water ad libitum for 3 and 6 months. After these exposures, the animals were killed and the kidneys, liver, and testes from each vole were collected for analyses. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe in the tissues were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The formalin-fixed testes, kidneys, and part of the liver were embedded in paraffin and then stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Cadmium accumulation in the tissues was directly proportional to dose. The highest cadmium concentrations were found in the kidneys of animals fed the highest dose of cadmium. Histological examination of the tissues revealed some pathological changes in the structure of kidneys, liver, and testes.
Asunto(s)
Arvicolinae/fisiología , Cadmio/farmacocinética , Riñón/patología , Animales , Cadmio/toxicidad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Contaminantes Ambientales/farmacocinética , Contaminantes Ambientales/toxicidad , Riñón/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/patología , Masculino , Plantas Comestibles , Testículo/efectos de los fármacos , Testículo/patología , Distribución TisularRESUMEN
The contents of heavy metals and non-metal elements (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Rb, Ti, Cr, Se, Sr) were analysed in red deer and wild boar tissues: kidneys, liver, muscles, bone. Samples were collected in three sites during hunting seasons 1986/87 and 1987/88. The lead concentrations ranged from 0.8 microgram.g-1 (muscles) to 1.8 microgram.g-1 (kidneys), while Cd levels ranged from 1.0 to 27.0 micrograms.g-1. The average levels of Cu and Zn in wild boar muscles were about 7.0 and 128 micrograms.g-1, respectively. The concentrations of Pb and Cd found in red deer muscles and kidneys were very similar to those found in the same tissues of wild boar. High levels of Sr and Mn were found in bones (101.0 micrograms.g-1) and muscles (28.0 micrograms.g-1) of red deer from Niepolomicka Forest.
Asunto(s)
Ciervos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Riñón/química , Metales/análisis , Músculos/química , Porcinos , Animales , Polonia , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe) were determined in the tissues of bank voles collected in polluted forest sites in southern Poland and in Bialowieza National Park. The highest cadmium concentrations were found in livers (0.9-12.8 microg g(-1)) and kidneys (3.2-29.6 microg g(-1)), whereas the lowest were in bones (0.2-0.9 microg g(-1)). The lead concentrations found in kidneys and bones ranged from 9.5 to 40.0 microg g(-1). The ranges of zinc, iron and copper concentrations in the tissues of animals were: 137-343 microg g(-1), 206-1017 microg(-1) and 12.0-73.8 microg(-1), respectively. Some of the differences between the levels found in various sites were statistically significant.