Cadmium-109 and Methyl Mercury-203 Metabolism, Tissue Distribution, and Secretion into Milk of Cows

Abstract

Metabolism of cadmium-109 and methyl mercury-203 was studied in six lactating Jersey cows for 14 days following single tracer oral doses. Most of the cadmium-109 was excreted in feces with only .05% in urine. When the cows were killed 14 to 16 days after dosing, kidney and liver had highest cadmium-109. About .75% of the cadmium-109 was retained in the body with 34% of this in gastrointestinal tract and contents, 32% in liver, and 10% in kidney. In fetal tissues highest cadmium-109 was in kidney, tibia, and liver whereas fetal liver had highest methyl mercury-203. Apparent methyl mercury-203 absorption was 59% with 1.1% in urine. Highest concentration was in kidney, followed by liver, skeletal muscles, heart, smooth muscle, spleen, lung, brain, ovaries, and pancreas. Of total body mercury-203, muscle had about 72% and liver 7%. In 14 days, only .17% of mercury-203 dose was secreted into milk. Cadmium-109 in milk was below detectable limits of .00008% of the dose/day. Feed of cattle kept for meat should be protected from methyl mercury, at least near slaughter. Milk is protected from methyl mercury. In sharp contrast to zinc, little of the ingested cadmium appears in muscle or milk. © 1974, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.