title: Concentrations of strontium, barium, cadmium, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, antimony, selenium and lead in the equine liver and kidneys.
abstract: The concentrations of specific elements in the equine liver and kidneys are of practical relevance since horses are not only food-producing animals, but also partially serve as an indicator for the environmental pollution, as the basic feed includes plants like grass, grain and fruits. In this study, the concentrations of strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se) and lead (Pb) were measured in the liver, renal cortex and renal medulla of 21 horses (8 male; 13 female; aged between 5 months-28 years), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Comparable Cu and Zn concentrations were detected in the liver and renal cortex, while approximately 50% lower concentrations were measured in the renal medulla. The lowest Sr, Cd and Se, but the highest Mn, Sb and Pb concentrations were measured in the liver. The Ba concentrations were comparable in the renal cortex and medulla, but lower in the liver of the horses. Gender-related differences were observed for Cd, Mn and Cr, with higher Cd concentrations in the liver, but lower Mn concentrations in the renal cortex and lower Cr concentrations in the renal medulla of female horses. Age-related differences were detected for most measured elements, however, the animal number per age-group was only low. In conclusion, the present study provides important reference data for the storage of Sr, Ba, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Sb, Se and Pb in the liver and kidneys of horses, which are of practical relevance for an evaluation of the exposure of horses to these elements, either via feed or the environment.
authors: Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 49, Berlin, 14195 Germany.
authors: Nadine
authors: N
authors: Paßlack
authors: Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 49, Berlin, 14195 Germany ; Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin, 10589 Germany.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Mainzer
authors: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin, 10589 Germany.
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Lahrssen-Wiederholt
authors: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin, 10589 Germany.
authors: Helmut
authors: H
authors: Schafft
authors: Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, Berlin, 10589 Germany.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Palavinskas
authors: Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, Berlin, 14163 Germany.
authors: Angele
authors: A
authors: Breithaupt
authors: Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin, 12203 Germany.
authors: Konrad
authors: K
authors: Neumann
authors: Institute of Animal Nutrition, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 49, Berlin, 14195 Germany.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Zentek
keywords: Elements; Environment; Feed; Horses; Liver and kidneys