Mercury exposure in horses refers to the presence and effects of mercury, a heavy metal, in equine environments and physiology. Mercury can be introduced to horses through various sources, including contaminated water, feed, or soil. It is known for its potential toxicity, which can affect multiple biological systems. In horses, mercury exposure may lead to neurological, renal, or gastrointestinal issues, depending on the form and level of exposure. This topic encompasses research on the pathways of mercury exposure, its absorption and distribution in equine bodies, and the potential health implications for horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the sources, effects, and management of mercury exposure in equine populations.
Nava V, Licata P, Biondi V, Catone G, Gugliandolo E, Pugliese M, Passantino A, Crupi R, Aragona F.Horses are excellent bioindicators for the assessment of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels and potential bioaccumulation of 28 mineral elements in 75 horse whole blood samples collected from five pollution-prone areas of Sicily, Italy. A direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used for Hg determination, and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for all other elements. A one-way ANOVA test, followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison for post hoc comparison, was applied to assess statistically significant differences between mineral eleme...
McMahill BG, Alffolter VK, Sykes C, Poppenga R, Fine M, Kraipowich N.This horse presented with subcutaneous mercury panniculitis confirmed by toxicological analysis. Based upon the nature of the lesions the mercury species was elemental mercury (Hg ). Despite no history of intentional mercury administration, subcutaneous injection is the presumed most likely route of exposure to Hg .
Fazio F, Cicero N, Piccione G, Giannetto C, Licata P.Mercury (Hg) exists in various chemical forms, and it is different to health effects. The most toxic effects occur in the central nervous system during fetal development with irreversible alterations of the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex and, it is essential to monitor the tissue residues of Hg to protect the animal's health. The present investigation was carried out during May 2019 in 20 horses located in equine sport center near the area of Milazzo, Messina, that is a part of Sicilian territory heavily polluted by many toxic substances. The purpose of this study was to determine the conc...
Casteel SW.The ubiquity and stability of metals in the environment make them unique as a pollutant or an essential dietary component. Metals are neither created nor destroyed by chemical processes but are redistributed in the environment. In combination with other elements, metal compounds and alloys are essential materials of the contemporary world. Inappropriate use or distribution in the environment leads to adverse health effects on all biologic systems, including horses. Gastrointestinal upset is a common feature of acute toxicosis with metals in general. Among the metals discussed, arsenic and inor...
Schara M, Nemec M, Falnoga I, Kobal AB, Kveder M, Svetek J.The action of mercuric chloride and methyl mercuric chloride on the membrane lateral domain organization of bovine, equine, and canine erythrocytes was studied. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of spin-labeled erythrocytes were analyzed with respect to their lateral domain structure. Continuous alteration of the membrane domain populations revealed that mercuric compounds affect the membrane via the evolution of toxic events in the cells.
Myshkin AE, Khromova VS.Histidin has been shown to effectively inhibit coagulation of horse oxyhemoglobin (HbO(2)) modified by mercury(II) ion bound to reactive thiol groups of protein. Kinetic parameters were measured and the histidin-to-mercury binding constant was kinetically estimated. Histidin, as other pharmaceutically acceptable compounds with some mercury-binding capacity, has been suggested to alleviate mercury intoxication conditions.
Guglick MA, MacAllister CG, Chandra AM, Edwards WC, Qualls CW, Stephens DH.Mercury toxicosis by ingestion was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare with a history of anorexia and signs of abdominal discomfort. Ten and 9 days prior to admission, an inorganic mercuric blistering agent has been applied for topical treatment of dorsal metacarpal disease. At referral, signs of depression, dependent edema, pollakiuria, nonproductive cough, and oral ulceration were noticed. Laboratory data were consistent with renal dysfunction. Mercury content of blood and urine was high, confirming the diagnosis. The horse responded to intensive care, consisting primarily of IV flu...
Roberts MC, Seawright AA, Ng JC, Norman PD.Chronic mercuric chloride intoxication in an aged horse given 0.8 mg Hg/kg/day for 14 weeks was manifest by signs of progressive respiratory difficulty and renal disease. The effects were not self-limiting after mercury was withdrawn, and the animal was destroyed six weeks later. Renal function changes included heavy glycosuria, modest proteinuria, phosphaturia, reduced urine osmolality, gradually increasing urine production, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and terminally, azotemia. The condition bore similarities to the Fanconi syndrome in man. Urinary gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkal...
Zobel G, Kolb FE.Acid phosphatase of erythrocytes of several species was investigated, with three isozymes having been recorded from swine (three types), three (two types) from horse, four (one type) from dog, two (two types) from cat, two (three types) from duck, and two (one type) from fowl. The Michaelis constant of the enzyme varied between 3.5 and 5 X 10(-4) M for the species involved. The species, however, differed slightly for the optimum pH of the enzyme. The average enzymatic activities were (5.68 +/- 0.42 for dog, 4.46 +/- 1.0 for horse, 3.8 +/- 0.24 for swine, 3.72 for cat, 2.5 +/- 0.62 for duck, an...
Casteel SW.The ubiquity and stability of metals in the environment make them unique as a pollutant or an essential dietary component. Metals are neither created nor destroyed by chemical processes but are redistributed in the environment. In combination with other elements, metal compounds and alloys are essential materials of the contemporary world. Inappropriate use or distribution in the environment leads to adverse health effects on all biologic systems, including horses. Gastrointestinal upset is a common feature of acute toxicosis with metals in general. Among the metals discussed, arsenic and inor...
Fazio F, Cicero N, Piccione G, Giannetto C, Licata P.Mercury (Hg) exists in various chemical forms, and it is different to health effects. The most toxic effects occur in the central nervous system during fetal development with irreversible alterations of the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex and, it is essential to monitor the tissue residues of Hg to protect the animal's health. The present investigation was carried out during May 2019 in 20 horses located in equine sport center near the area of Milazzo, Messina, that is a part of Sicilian territory heavily polluted by many toxic substances. The purpose of this study was to determine the conc...
Roberts MC, Seawright AA, Ng JC, Norman PD.Chronic mercuric chloride intoxication in an aged horse given 0.8 mg Hg/kg/day for 14 weeks was manifest by signs of progressive respiratory difficulty and renal disease. The effects were not self-limiting after mercury was withdrawn, and the animal was destroyed six weeks later. Renal function changes included heavy glycosuria, modest proteinuria, phosphaturia, reduced urine osmolality, gradually increasing urine production, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and terminally, azotemia. The condition bore similarities to the Fanconi syndrome in man. Urinary gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkal...
Myshkin AE, Khromova VS.Histidin has been shown to effectively inhibit coagulation of horse oxyhemoglobin (HbO(2)) modified by mercury(II) ion bound to reactive thiol groups of protein. Kinetic parameters were measured and the histidin-to-mercury binding constant was kinetically estimated. Histidin, as other pharmaceutically acceptable compounds with some mercury-binding capacity, has been suggested to alleviate mercury intoxication conditions.
Guglick MA, MacAllister CG, Chandra AM, Edwards WC, Qualls CW, Stephens DH.Mercury toxicosis by ingestion was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare with a history of anorexia and signs of abdominal discomfort. Ten and 9 days prior to admission, an inorganic mercuric blistering agent has been applied for topical treatment of dorsal metacarpal disease. At referral, signs of depression, dependent edema, pollakiuria, nonproductive cough, and oral ulceration were noticed. Laboratory data were consistent with renal dysfunction. Mercury content of blood and urine was high, confirming the diagnosis. The horse responded to intensive care, consisting primarily of IV flu...
Schara M, Nemec M, Falnoga I, Kobal AB, Kveder M, Svetek J.The action of mercuric chloride and methyl mercuric chloride on the membrane lateral domain organization of bovine, equine, and canine erythrocytes was studied. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of spin-labeled erythrocytes were analyzed with respect to their lateral domain structure. Continuous alteration of the membrane domain populations revealed that mercuric compounds affect the membrane via the evolution of toxic events in the cells.
McMahill BG, Alffolter VK, Sykes C, Poppenga R, Fine M, Kraipowich N.This horse presented with subcutaneous mercury panniculitis confirmed by toxicological analysis. Based upon the nature of the lesions the mercury species was elemental mercury (Hg ). Despite no history of intentional mercury administration, subcutaneous injection is the presumed most likely route of exposure to Hg .
Zobel G, Kolb FE.Acid phosphatase of erythrocytes of several species was investigated, with three isozymes having been recorded from swine (three types), three (two types) from horse, four (one type) from dog, two (two types) from cat, two (three types) from duck, and two (one type) from fowl. The Michaelis constant of the enzyme varied between 3.5 and 5 X 10(-4) M for the species involved. The species, however, differed slightly for the optimum pH of the enzyme. The average enzymatic activities were (5.68 +/- 0.42 for dog, 4.46 +/- 1.0 for horse, 3.8 +/- 0.24 for swine, 3.72 for cat, 2.5 +/- 0.62 for duck, an...
Nava V, Licata P, Biondi V, Catone G, Gugliandolo E, Pugliese M, Passantino A, Crupi R, Aragona F.Horses are excellent bioindicators for the assessment of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels and potential bioaccumulation of 28 mineral elements in 75 horse whole blood samples collected from five pollution-prone areas of Sicily, Italy. A direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used for Hg determination, and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for all other elements. A one-way ANOVA test, followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison for post hoc comparison, was applied to assess statistically significant differences between mineral eleme...
