Transfer of cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic from feed into tissues of fattening bulls: chemical and pathological data.

Abstract

During the last 5 months of the fattening period 16 bulls were given a maize silage and concentrates (2:1) diet containing cadmium 10, lead 10, mercury 0.1 and arsenic 2 mg/kg diet. These concentrations are the maximum permitted in the regulations of the Commodity Board for Feeding Stuffs (1975). Bulls were slaughtered at 500 kg. Cd, Pb, Hg and As concentrations were 6.9, 1.7, 0.08 and 0.17 mg/kg in fresh kidney and 2.6, 0.86, 0.024, and 0.1 mg/kg in fresh liver. Gross and histopathological lesions were not related to intake of heavy metals as 6 bulls given diets without additional heavy metals had similar lesions. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)