Concentrations of selected toxic elements (cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic) in ewe milk in dependence on lactation stage

• Published in: Czech Journal of Animal Science Vol. 50; no. 8
• Main Authors: Antunovic, Z.(University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek (Croatia). Dept. of Animal Science)E-mail:zantun@pfos.hr, Bogut, I.(University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Faculty of Agriculture), Sencic, D.(University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek (Croatia). Dept. of Animal Science), Katic, M.(University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek (Croatia). Dept. of Physics), Mijic, P.(University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek (Croatia). Dept. of Livestock Breeding)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ARSENIC; ARSENICO; ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY; CADMIO; CADMIUM; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; COMPOSICION QUIMICA; COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE; ESPECTROMETRIA DE ABSORCION ATOMICA; EWE MILK; FOIN; HAY; HENO; LACTACION; LACTATION; LAIT DE BREBIS; LEAD; LECHE DE OVEJA; MERCURE; MERCURIO; MERCURY; PASTIZALES; PASTURES; PATURAGES; PLOMB; PLOMO; SPECTROMETRIE D'ABSORPTION ATOMIQUE; SUBSTANCE TOXIQUE; SUSTANCIAS TOXICAS; TOXIC SUBSTANCES
• ISSN: 1212-1819

Ewe milk sampling was carried out on the 2nd, 10th, 30th and 60th lactation day in 10 Merinolandschaf ewes on pasture. An electrothermal technique was used to determine Cd and Pb concentrations in feed and milk, whereas As and Hg concentrations were determined by a hydrid technique on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Toxic elements concentrations in the milk depended on the stage of lactation. Cd and Pb (0.011 and 0.035 mg/kg, resp.) concentrations were higher (P less than 0.01), As (0.011 mg/kg) concentrations were lower in colostrum than in milk on the 10th (Cd: 0.004; Pb: 0.022; As: 0.025 mg/kg), 30th (Cd: 0.005; Pb: 0.024; As: 0.028 mg/kg) and 60th (Cd: 0.006; Pb: 0.026; As: 0.029 mg/kg) lactation day. However, no significant differences were found in Hg concentrations (from 0.021 to 0.026 mg/kg) in relation to lactation stage. In conclusion, the toxic elements studied were present in very low concentrations in ewe milk.