Veterinarski Arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008

Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from

southern Nigeria

Chukwujindu Maxwell Azubuike Iwegbue

Department of Chemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

Iwegbue, C. M. A.: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from
southern Nigeria. Vet. arhiv 78, 401-410, 2008.
Abstract
Results are presented for the levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, iron, manganese and nickel as
determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in the livers and kidneys of 88 cattle from seven different
locations in southern Nigeria. The mean and range for each metal in mg.kg-1, in livers and kidneys were as
follows; cadmium 0.08 (0.01-0.23) and 0.14 (0.01-0.46); chromium 3.62 (0.98-6.33) and 3.63 (1.08-5.87);
copper 1.99 (0.11-8.99) and 3.27 (0.22-7.49); 0.8 (n.d-0.23) and 0.04 (n.d-0.95); iron 37.75 (2.64-85.60) and
32.26 (0.10-78.65); Ni 0.12 (0.01-0.55) and 0.20 (0.02-0.46). Significant differences were observed in the heavy
metal levels in livers and kidneys from the different locations and between the heavy metal levels in livers and
kidneys from the same location. The levels of the various metals were generally low, and within international
statutory safe limits.
Key words: heavy metals, liver, kidney, cattle, environmental pollution, Nigeria

Introduction
Trace metals are ubiquitous in the environment of man and animals. Iron, zinc, copper,
chromium, cobalt and manganese are essential, while lead, cadmium, nickel and mercury
are toxic at certain levels (FLANJAK and LEE, 1979; UNDERWOOD, 1977; ALLOWAY and
AYRE, 1994). Those metals that are equivocally essential, owe their essentiality to being
constituents of enzymes and other important proteins involved in key metabolic pathways.
Hence, a deficient supply of micro nutrients will result in a shortage of enzymes which
leads to metabolic dysfunction causing disease, whereas, so-called toxic metals cause
toxicity at levels which exceed the tolerance limit of the organism, but do not cause
deficiency disorders like the essential metals (ALLOWAY and AYRE, 1994). For example,

*Contact address:
Dr. Chukwujindu M. A. Iwegbue; Department of Chemistry, Delta State University, P.M.B. 1, Abraka, Nigeria, Phone: +234 803
3864 109, +234 805 1452 311; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

ISSN 0372-5480
Printed in Croatia 401
 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

lead can adversely affect many organs, systems and numerous conditions such as high
pressure, anemia, kidney damage, impaired wearing and metal retardation (WAGNER,
1995) elevated levels in women may result in a shortened gestation period (WAGNER,
1995), while young children are considered at great risk because of their ability to
effectively absorbed lead and thereby suffer mental and physical development retardation
(KOCAK et al., 2005). Cadmium toxicity affects many target tissues such as appetite and
pain centres (in brain), brain, heart and blood vessel, kidney and lungs. This toxicity
may cause anemia, dry and scaly skin, emphysema, fatigue, hair loss, heart disease,
depressed immune system response, hypertension, joint pain, kidney stones or damage,
liver dysfunction or damage, loss of sense of smell, lung cancer, pain in the back and
legs, and yellow teeth in humans (KOCAK et al., 2005). In Nigeria cattle are free grazing
and drink water from ditches, streams, rivers and other possible contaminated water
sources. They graze along runways and other sites that might have been contaminated
with toxic substances. Animals in the process could be liable to exposure to high levels
of contaminants in the environment. These metals accumulate in the organs and other
tissues. The muscles and other organs (including intestines) are sold in the market to the
populace for consumption. In view of the fact that there are very little or no available
original data on metal concentrations in tissues of domestic and wild animals in Nigeria,
this study was undertaken in order to determine the levels of these metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni,
Cu, Mn and Fe) in livers and kidneys of cattle in southern Nigeria, with attention given to
hygienic and toxicological aspects.

Materials and methods

Liver and kidney samples from free grazing cattle were obtained from abattoirs
situated in seven widely spread localities in southern Nigeria. The animals were not
selected according to sex or age but on the acknowledged assumption that they were
aged from 2 - 5 years, and taking the parts that reach the final consumers. The samples
were collected in the months of August to November 2006. The samples were packed in
polyethylene bags and conveyed to the laboratory. Upon reception, gross fat was removed
and stored at -10 oC in sealed plastic container until required (FLANJAK and LEE, 1979).
5 g samples were wet ashed in a Pyrex beaker with 35 mL of a mixture of nitric
and perchloric acids (6+1) and was placed on a hotplate at 135 oC for 2 h. Care must
be exercised with fatty materials to maintain excess nitric acid until most of the organic
matter is destroyed. The colorless liquor formed was evaporated slowly to dryness
(avoiding prolonged baking); cooled and dissolved in 5 mL of 20% nitric acid and diluted
to 25 mL mark with the deionized water. The solution was analyzed for metals using
graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GBC Scientific equipment Sens
AA) equipped with D2 background correction device.

402 Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008

 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

Appropriate quality assurance procedures and precautions were carried out to ensure
reliability of the results. Samples were generally carefully handled to avoid contamination.
Glassware was properly cleaned, and the reagents (nitric acid and distilled water) were
of analytical grade. Reagent blank determinations were used to correct the instrument
readings. Calibration standards were made by dilution of high purity commercial BDH
metal standards for atomic absorption analysis. A recovery test of the total analytical
procedure was carried out for metals in selected samples by spiking analyzed samples
with aliquots of metal and then reanalyzing the samples. Acceptable recovery of 96%,
95.2%, 94%, 92.5%, 91.8%, 93% and 98.2% was obtained for Cr, Fe, Cd, Pb, Ni, Mn and
Cu, respectively.

Results
The mean ( ± standard deviation) and range of the concentrations of the metals in the
livers and kidneys of cattle analyzed with respect to localities are given in Tables 1 and 2
respectively. Table 3 presents the overall mean ( ± SD) and range for all samples. Analysis
of variance (ANOVA) (p = 0.05) shows appreciable variation in the concentrations of the
various metals within localities. This variation is due to differences in levels of exposure
to metal contaminants.
Iron is the most abundant of all the metals studied. The mean levels of Cr, Pb, Fe and
Mn found in the livers from the different localities are generally greater than the mean
levels of these metals in the kidneys. This is an indication that these metals accumulate
more in the livers than in the kidneys. However, there are a few exceptions, where the
concentrations of these metals are higher in the kidneys than the livers. Contrary to these
metals, cadmium, copper and nickel levels are found to be higher in the kidneys than in
liver samples from the different localities

Discussion
The highest level of cadmium was found in kidney samples collected from Sapele
area. Several studies have shown that cadmium concentrates more in the kidneys than in
the livers (HETCHT et al., 1984; FROSILE et al., 1986; MUSANTE et al., 1993; FALANDYSZ,
1994; DOGANOC and GACNICK, 1995; KOTFEROVA and KORENEKOVA, 1998; POKORNY
and RIBARIC-LASNIK, 2000; POMPE-GOTAL and CRNIC, 2002; GASPARIK et al., 2004).
The higher concentration of cadmium in the kidney tissue is due to the detoxification
function of the organ where these metals are accumulated (ARANHA, 1994; STOYKE et
al., 1995). Animals exposed to cadmium accumulate it in their livers and kidneys as their
free protein-thiol group content leads to a strong fixation of heavy metals. Despite the
excretory mechanism for such metals, which is based on low molecular compounds with -
SH groups, vertebrates could not develop these mechanisms during the period of evolution

Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008 403

404
Table 1. Characteristic levels of heavy metal (mean ± SD) (mg.kg-1 in wet weight basis) in livers and kidneys of cattle from
different localities in southern Nigeria

Cr Fe Cd Pb Ni Mn Cu
Liver 2.88 ± 1.20 31.49 ± 13.54 0.13 ± 0.06 0.26 ± 0.49 0.03 ± 0.02 9.44 ± 4.06 0.46 ± 0.33
Sapele
Kidney 3.76 ± 0.96 28.32 ± 11.05 0.20 ± 0.12 0.01 ± 0.01 0.21 ± 0.04 8.49 ± 3.31 3.36 ± 0.73
Liver 3.95 ± 0.71 22.89 ± 13.73 0.07 ± 0.03 0.07 ± 0.18 0.11 ± 0.09 6.86 ± 4.12 1.81 ± 1.48
Onitsha
Kidney 3.57 ± 1.28 31.18 ± 20.39 0.15 ± 0.18 0.16 ± 0.39 0.09 ± 0.08 9.35 ± 6.11 1.42 ± 1.34
Liver 4.05 ± 1.74 28.61 ± 7.15 0.08 ± 0.04 0.01 ± 0.01 0.07 ± 0.09 8.58 ± 2.14 1.19 ± 1.53
Warri
Kidney 4.01 ± 1.57 22.88 ± 15.44 0.24 ± 0.10 0.02 ± 0.04 0.06 ± 0.03 6.86 ± 4.63 0.93 ± 0.58
Liver 2.96 ± 0.44 39.64 ± 23.22 0.07 ± 0.04 0.03 ± 0.06 0.18 ± 0.06 11.89 ± 6.89 2.91 ± 0.90
Benin
Kidney 2.51 ± 1.22 20.37 ± 8.39 0.07 ± 0.07 0.01 ± 0.03 0.21 ± 0.03 6.11 ± 2.52 3.48 ± 0.51
Liver 3.67 ± 1.59 49.76 ± 23.06 0.07 ± 0.07 0.00 ± 0.00 0.30 ± 0.13 14.93 ± 6.92 4,89 ± 2.11
Ughelli
Kidney 4.92 ± 0.66 46.59 ± 23.54 0.11 ± 0.05 0.06 ± 0.15 0.30 ± 0.13 13.97 ± 7.06 4.85 ± 2.15
Liver 4.43 ± 1.16 57.86 ± 18.14 0.03 ± 0.02 0.10 ± 0.17 0.04 ± 0.01 17.35 ± 5.44 0.71 ± 0.17
Asaba
Kidney 3.32 ± 1.49 41.92 ± 11.04 0.12 ± 0.09 0.01 ± 0.02 0.29 ± 0.11 12.57 ± 3.31 4.75 ± 1.76
C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008

 Table 2. Range of heavy metals in livers and kidneys (mg.kg-1 fresh weight basis) of cattle from different locations in southern
Nigeria

Cr Fe Cd Pb Ni Mn Cu
Liver 1.05-4.38 15.20-61.20 0.06-0.21 nd-1.23 0.10-0.06 4.56-18.35 0.14-0.99
Sapele
Kidney 2.48-4.80 13.50-40.50 0.12-0.41 nd-0.02 0.16-0.28 4.05-12.15 2.65-4.52
Liver 2.68-4.90 2.64-41.60 0.04-0.12 nd-0.47 0.01-0.30 0.79-12.48 0.19-4.84
Onitsha
Kidney 1.76-5.04 10.55-58.60 0.03-0.46 nd-0.95 0.02-0.20 3.17-17.57 0.22-3.25
Liver 0.98-6.33 15.65-37.90 0.02-0.14 nd-0.03 0.01-0.23 4.74-11.37 0.11-3.70
Warri

Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008

Kidney 2.09-5.87 5.62-47.15 0.15-0.40 nd-0.11 0.03-0.12 1.89-14.14 0.41-1.99
Liver 2.30-3.51 6.49-64.40 0.02-0.12 nd-0.16 0.12-0.25 1.95-19.31 1.98-3.99
Benin
Kidney 1.11-4.21 5.84-29.25 0.01-0.20 nd-0.10 0.17-0.25 1.75-8.77 2.81-4.10
Liver 1.54-5.86 5.03-75.35 0.02-0.23 nd-0.01 0.14-0.55 1.51-22.60 2.21-8.99
Ughelli
Kidney 3.82-5.74 0.10-78.65 0.04-0.17 nd-0.40 0.14-0.46 0.03-23.59 2.28-7.49
Liver 2.94-5.79 30.45-85.60 0.01-0.07 nd-0.45 0.03-0.06 9.13-25.67 0.43-0.89
Asaba
Kidney 1.08-4.92 19.25-52.45 0.02-0.03 nd-0.07 0.09-0.43 5.77-15.73 1.35-7.06

Table 3. Trace metal concentrations in livers and kidneys of cattle (mg.kg-1 fresh weight basis)

Liver Kidney
Trace metal Range Mean ± SD Range Mean ± SD
Cr 0.98-6.33 3.62 ± 1.29 1.08-5.87 3.63 ± 1.40
Fe 2.64-85.60 37.75 ± 20.18 0.10-78.65 2.26 ± 17.80
Cd 0.01-0.23 0.08 ± 0.05 0.01-0.46 0.14 ± 0.11
Pb nd-1.23 0.08 ± 0.24 nd-0.95 0.04 ± 0.16
Ni 0.01-0.55 0.12 ± 0.12 0.02-0.46 0.20 ± 0.12
Mn 0.79-25.67 11.32 ± 6.05 0.03-23.59 9.67 ± 5.34
C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

Cu 0.11-8.99 1.99 ± 1.96 0.22-7.49 3.27 ± 1.98

405
 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

to the extent necessary for today’s anthropogenic sources of pollution (POMPE-GOTAL and
CRNIC, 2002). The herbivores of terrestrial fauna, birds as well as mammals, demonstrate
generally higher renal cadmium than carnivores since vegetation is contaminated by aerial
deposition or by absorption of cadmium from the soil (PETERSON and ALLOWAY, 1979).
According to the data obtained by ZMUDZKI and SZKODA (1995) in the course of
a monitoring survey performed in 1993, cadmium levels in the livers and kidneys of
young cattle from Poland were 0.146 and 0.580 mg.kg-1 respectively and in older animals
cadmium levels of 0.204 and 0.829 mg.kg-1 were observed in the livers and kidneys
respectively. Similarly, FALANDYSZ (1994) reported cadmium concentrations of 0.10 and
0.450 mg.kg-1 in livers and kidneys respectively for cattle in northern Poland. The levels
of cadmium in cattle kidney in some countries of the European Union (EU) were of the
same magnitude e.g. 0.45 mg Cd kg-1 in Austria (1991) and 0.231 mg Cd kg-1 in Holland
(KOFER and FUCHS, 1993; KESSELS and WENSING, 1993) while values recorded for cattle
livers were 0.061 mg Cd kg-1 in Finland (1991), 0.070 mg Cd kg-1 in Sweden (1991)
and 0.105 mg Cd kg-1 in Holland (1987) (TAHVONEN and KUMPULAINEN, 1994). The
permissible limit for cadmium in kidney and liver has been reported as 1 ppm and 0.5
ppm Cd respectively (VOS et al., 1991). The levels of cadmium found in the livers and
kidneys in this study were below the FAO/WHO permissible limits and comparable to
levels reported for EU countries (KOFER and FUCHS, 1993; KESSELS and WENSING, 1993;
TAHVONEN and KUMPULAINEN, 1994).
The highest mean level of chromium in livers and kidneys was recorded in samples
from the Asaba and Ughelli areas respectively, while the lowest level of chromium in the
livers and kidneys was found in samples from the Sapele and Benin areas, respectively.
The overall mean levels of chromium reported in this study were higher than chromium
levels reported for chromium in livers and kidneys of cattle from different localities of
New South Wales, Australia (FLANJAK and LEE, 1979).
Copper occurs in food in many chemical forms and combinations, which affects its
availability to the animal. It is known to be essential at low concentrations for both human
and animals but it is toxic at high levels. The lethal dose of copper for humans is 100
ppm but food with concentration of 5-7 ppm becomes repulsive for human consumption.
Thus, there is no danger for humans of copper poisoning (VOS et al., 1991). Copper
concentration (wet tissue weight) was 56.7 ppm in livers of Flemish cattle, 8.8 ppm in
Irish cattle and 22.1 ppm in the liver of Polish cattle (ZMUDZKI et al., 1991). In New South
Wales( Australia), the concentrations of copper in the livers and kidneys of cattle ranged
from 0.81-82.8 ppm and 1.84-9.2 ppm respectively (FLANJAK and LEE, 1979). Similarly,
MARIAM et al. (2006) reported mean copper levels of 93.24 ± 15.8 ppm Cu and 5.42 ±
2.01 ppm Cu for livers and kidneys respectively of beef in Lahore. The levels of copper
found in this study are lower than levels reported by these investigators (FLANJAK and

406 Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008

 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

LEE, 1979; MARIAM et al., 2004). The concentration of copper in the liver and kidney
tissues are below the permissible limit of 20 ppm Cu (SHARIF et al., 2005; ZASADOWSKI
et al., 1999).
The levels of lead in the livers and kidneys are generally low compared to any other
metals studied. The highest concentrations of lead in livers and kidneys of the cattle
examined were 1.23 mg.kg-1 and 0.95 mg.kg-1 respectively. 75% of the liver and kidney
samples have lead concentrations less than 0.001 mg.kg-1. MARIAM et al. (2004) reported
mean lead concentrations of 2.18 ± 0.38 ppm and 2.02 ± 0.44 ppm for livers and kidneys
respectively of beef in Lahore whereas FLANJAK and LEE (1979) reported concentrations
ranging from n.d - 0.85 ppm and n.d - 2.25 ppm for livers and kidneys of cattle in New
South Wales, Australia. The levels of lead reported in this study are lower than levels
reported by MARIAM et al. (2004) but are similar to levels reported by FLANJAK and LEE
(1979). The result indicates that the concentrations of lead in the livers and kidneys were
less than the permissible limit of 1ppm except for one sample.
Iron and manganese are essential metals and are required for normal metabolic
activity in both plants and animals. The livers and kidneys have higher concentration of
iron and manganese compared to any other metals studied.
The concentration of iron and manganese in the liver is significantly higher than that
of kidneys. The levels of iron and manganese in sample are below permissible limits
for these elements in animal tissues. The levels of manganese reported in this study
are comparable to levels reported for livers and kidneys of cattle from South Wales,
Australia (FLANJANK and LEE, 1979). The level of iron observed in the liver samples are
comparatively lower than the mean levels of 125.2 - 146.8 mg.kg-1 reported for liver of
cattle from 3 region of Slovakia (KORENEKOVA et al., 2002).
Nickel was detected in the entire samples. The concentrations of nickel in the
kidney samples are higher than those of the livers. This agrees with the observation of
FLANJANK and LEE (1979) who reported 0.33 ± 0.54 ppm Ni and 0.46 ± 0.87 ppm Ni in
livers and kidneys of cattle respectively. Similarly, KORENEKOVA et al. (2002) reported
mean concentrations of 0.176 - 0.231 mg.kg-1 in the livers of cattle reared in the vicinity
of the metallurgic industry in Slovakia. The levels of nickel reported in this study are
comparable to that of FLANJANK and LEE (1979). Contrary to the general expectation that
the such free grazing animals will accumulate high and excessive concentrations of trace
and toxic metals in its organs, it was found that the levels of the metals was generally
low. This is possibly due to reduction in the levels of lead in gasoline and low levels of
industrialization in the northern region of Nigeria, were the animals migrated from to the
southern part of Nigeria.

Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008 407

 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

Overall, the study shows that the levels of various metals in livers and kidneys were
generally low, within international statutory safe limits and the data obtained will be
valuable in complementing available food composition data, estimating dietary intakes of
heavy metals and framing food standards in Nigeria.
_______
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful to Miss Ifeyinwa Omesom, Mr. Efe Oboghor, Miss Chukwuji Nwakaego for their
assistance in collecting the samples.

References
ALLOWAY, B. J., D. C. AYRE (1994): Chemical Principle of Environmental Pollution, Blackie
Publisher, London. pp. 37-50.
ARANHA, K. (1994): Environmental Chemistry New Age International Limited Publisher, New
Delhi, pp. 213-219.
DOGANOC, D. Z., K. S. GACNICK (1995): Lead and cadmium in meat and organs of game in
Slovenia. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 54, 166-170.
FALANDYSZ, J. (1994): Some toxic and trace metals in big game hunted in Northern part of
Poland in 1987-1991. Sci. Total Environ. 141, 59-79.
FLANJAK, J., H. Y. LEE (1979): Trace metal content of livers and kidney of cattle J. Sci Food
Agric. 30, 503-507.
FROSILE, A., A. HAUGEN, G. HOT, G. HORHEIM, (1986): Levels of Cadmium in livers and
kidneys from Norwegian cervides. Bull Environ. Contam. Toxicol, 37, 453-460.
GASPARIK, J., P. MASSANYI, J. SLAMECKA, M. FABIS, R. JURCIK, (2004): Concentration
of selected metals in liver, kidney and muscle of the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). J. Environ.
Sci. Health A 39, 2105-2111.
HETCHT, H., W. SCHINNER, W. KREUZER (1984) Endogene und exogene Einflusse auf die
Gehalte an Blei und cadmium Muskel-and organproben von Rehwild. Fleischwirtsch 64, 967-
970.
KESSELS, B., T. WENSING (1993): Effects of environmental cadmium pollution in fattening of
veal calves. Bull. Environ. Contam Toxicol, 50, 561-566.
KOCAK, S., O. TOKUSOGLU, S. AYCAN (2005): Some heavy metals and trace essential
detection in canned vegetable foodstuff by differential pulse polarography. Elect. J. Env. Agric.
Fd. Chem. 4, 871-878.
KOFER, J., F. FUCHS (1993): Ruckstands Monitoring bei Fleisch 2 Mitteilung; Umwelt
contaminated (Pb, Cd in Rindernine). Wiener tierärztl. Monatsschr. 80, 264-269.
KORENEKOVA, B., M. SKALICKA, P. NAD (2002): Concentration of some heavy metals in
cattle reared in the vicinity of a metallurgic industry. Vet. Arhiv 72, 259-267.
KOTFEROVA, J., B. KORENEKOVA (1999): Distribution of Cd and Pb in tissues and organs of
free living animals in the territory of Slovakia. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 60, 171-176.

408 Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008

 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

MARIAM, I., S. IQBAL, S. A. NAGRA (2004): Distribution of some trace and macrominerals in
beef, mutton and poultry. Int. J. Agric. Biol. 6, 816-820.
MUSANTE, C. L., M. R. ELLINGWOOD, D. E. STILWELL (1993): Cadmium contamination of
deer liver in Connecticut. Bull. Environ Contam. Toxicol. 51, 838-843.
PETERSON, P. J., B. J. ALLOWAY (1979): Cadmium in soils and vegetation. In: The Chemistry,
Biochemstry and Biology of Cadmium. (Webb. M., Ed.), Elsevier, North Holland Biomedical
Press, Amsterdam, New York, Oxford 1974, pp. 45-92.
POKORNY, B., C. RIBARIC-LASNIK (2000): Lead, cadmium and zinc in tissue of roe deer
(Capreolus capreolus) near the lead smelter Koroska region (Northern Slovenia). Bull.
Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 64, 20-26.
POMPE-GOTAL, J., A. P. CRNIC (2002): Cadmium in tissue of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in
Croatia. Vet. Arhiv 72, 303-310.
SHARIF, L., A. MASSADEH, R. DALAL’EH, M. HASSAN (2005): Copper and mercury leads n
local Jordanian and imported sheep meat and organs. Bulg. J. Vet. Med. 8, 255-263.
STOYKE, M., K. D. DOBERSCHUTZ, K. LUSKY (1995): Heavy metal contents (cadmium,
lead and mercury) in selected feedstuff, organs and tissue in cattle found different sites of
Brandenburg. Mengen. Spureneler. Arbeitstag 15, 269-276.
TAHVONEN, R., J. KUMPULAINEN (1994): Lead and cadmium, content in pork, beef and
chicken and in pig and cow liver in Finland. Food. Add. Contam. 11, 415-419.
UNDERWOOD, E. J. (1977): Trace Element in Human and Animal Nutrition. Academic Press,
New York.
VOS, G., H. LAMMERS, W. V. DELFT, C. VAN (1991): Arsenic, cadmium lead and mercury in
meat, livers and kidneys of sheep slaughtered in the Netherlands. Zeitschrift Leben. Unter.
Forsh. 187, 1-7.
WAGNER, H. P. (1995): Determination of lead in beer using Zeeman background corrected graphite
furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. J. Am. Soc. Brew Chem. 53, 141-144.
ZASADOWSKI, A., D. BARSKI, K. MARKIEWICZ, Z. ZASADOWSKI, A. SPODNIEWSKA,
A. TERLECKA (1999): Levels of cadmium concentration of domestic animals (cattle) in the
region of Warmia and Nasuria. Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 8, 443-446.
ZMUDZKI, J., J. SZKODA (1995): Zawartose Kadmu w zywnosci pochodzenia zwierze. Cego
Medycyna Pracy 5 (Suppl. 5), 71-76.
ZMUDZKI, J., J. SZKODA, T. JUSZKIEWICZ (1991): Stezenia pier-wiastkow w tkankach bydla.
Med. Wet. 47, 413 -419.

Received: 11 June 2007

Accepted: 5 September 2008

Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008 409

 C. M. A. Iwegbue: Heavy metal composition of livers and kidneys of cattle from southern Nigeria

Iwegbue, C. M. A.: Sadržaj teških metala u jetrima i bubrezima goveda iz južne

Nigerije. Vet. arhiv 78, 401-410, 2008.
SAŽETAK
Predočeni su rezultati istraživanja razina kadmija, kroma, bakra, olova, željeza, mangana i nikla
ustanovljenih atomskom apsorpcijskom spektrofotometrijom u jetrima i bubrezima podrijetlom od 88 goveda
sa sedam različitih područja u južnoj Nigeriji. Srednje vrijednosti razine te razmak od najmanje do najveće
vrijednosti u mg.kg-1 u jetrima i bubrezima bile su sljedeće: za kadmij 0,08 (0,01-0,23) u jetrima te 0,14 (0,01-
0,46) u bubrezima; za krom 3,62 (0,98-6,33) u jetrima te 3,63 (1,08-5,87) u bubrezima; za bakar 1,99 (0,11-
8,99) i 3,27 (0,22-7,49); za olovo 0,8 (0,23) te 0,04 (do 0,95); za željezo 37,75 (2,64-85,60) i 32,26 (0,10-78,65);
za nikal 0,12 (0,01-0,55) i 0,20 (0,02-0,46). Značajne razlike u razini teških metala ustanovljene su ovisno o
pretraženom organu te o području na kojem su obitavale pretražene životinje. Razine različitih metala bile su
općenito niske i unutar međunarodno propisanih vrijednosti.
Ključne riječi: teški metali, jetra, bubreg, govedo, onečišćenje okoliša, Nigerija

410 Vet. arhiv 78 (5), 401-410, 2008