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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(19); 2665; doi: 10.3390/ani12192665

Concentration of Selected Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Horse Hair as an Important Tool for the Monitoring of Animal Exposure and Health.

Abstract: The main purpose of the study was to analyse the concentrations of selected essential and toxic trace elements in the hair of sports and recreational riding horses from studs located in central Poland and thus test the usefulness of this matrix for monitoring the exposure of these animals. We also measured the concentration of heavy metals in oats used as a basic component of the equine diet to investigate the interactions between these elements in the feed and hair. The basic chemical composition of oats was analysed. Elemental analysis was performed using an EcaFlow 150 GLP electrochemical analyser with an E-104L electrode and reference to a calibration curve. The chemical composition of oats was investigated by near infrared transmission (NIR) spectroscopy calibrated for an artificial neural network (ANN) using a Foss InfraXact spectrometer. Among all elements, the coefficient of variation was highest for Pb and lowest for Cd, regardless of the study group. The content of elements in horse hair was in the range of 153.56 to 185.79 mg·kg for Zn, 6.10 to 11.99 mg·kg for Cu, 0.578 to 0.813 mg·kg for Pb and 0.011 to 0.015 mg·kg for Cd (in kg of d.w.). For hair, we found a significant negative correlation for Zn-Cu (r = -0.539) and Cd-Cu (r = -0.676) at ≤ 0.05. For feed, there was a highly significant positive correlation for Cu-Pb (r = 0.723) and Zn-Cd (r = 0.714) at ≤ 0.01. We found significant negative oats-hair interactions for Cu-Zn, Pb-Cu, Cd-Cu and Zn-Pb, and a positive oats-hair interaction for Cu-Cu.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-04 PubMed ID: 36230405PubMed Central: PMC9559656DOI: 10.3390/ani12192665Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research aimed to evaluate the concentration of essential and harmful trace elements in sport and recreational horse hair and understand its utility as a monitoring tool for assessing the health and exposure of these animals.

Research Context and Objective

  • The main objective of this research was to investigate the concentrations of essential and harmful trace elements in the hair of sports and recreational riding horses. This was done to examine whether the concentration of these elements could serve as a useful measure to monitor the exposure and health status of these animals.
  • The study focused on horses from studs located in central Poland. Additionally, the study researched the concentration of heavy metals in the oats consumed by the horses, which is an essential part of their diet.
  • The findings from these tests would assist in understanding the interaction between the trace elements present in the feed and those found in the horse hair.

Research Methodology

  • The fundamental chemical composition of oats was analysed as part of the investigation. The presence of trace elements was analyzed using an EcaFlow 150 GLP electrochemical analyser with an E-104L electrode.
  • The data was interpreted according to a calibration curve. The chemical composition of oats was further investigated by a tool called near-infrared transmission (NIR) spectroscopy. This tool was calibrated for an artificial neural network (ANN) using a Foss InfraXact spectrometer.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the variation was highest for Pb (lead) and lowest for Cd (cadmium), irrespective of the type of horse.
  • Following the study, it was found that the element content in the horses’ hair ranged between 153.56 to 185.79 mg/kg for Zn (zinc), 6.10 to 11.99 mg/kg for Cu (copper), 0.578 to 0.813 mg/kg for Pb, and 0.011 to 0.015 mg/kg for Cd.
  • Significant negative correlations were observed for the concentration of Zn-Cu and Cd-Cu in hair, while monitor feed reported a highly significant positive correlation for Cu-Pb and Zn-Cd.
  • The study also found significant negative interaction between the elements in oats and horse hair for Cu-Zn, Pb-Cu, Cd-Cu, and Zn-Pb. There was a positive interaction for Cu-Cu.

Implications of the Research

  • Based on this research, the concentration of essential and harmful trace elements in a horse’s hair can be seen as an important measure in monitoring the health and exposure of the animal.
  • The study also highlights the significant interactions between the elements in the feed consumed by the animals and those found in their hair, underscoring the influence of diet on the horses’ health and exposure to elements.

Cite This Article

APA
Cygan-Szczegielniak D, Stasiak K. (2022). Concentration of Selected Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Horse Hair as an Important Tool for the Monitoring of Animal Exposure and Health. Animals (Basel), 12(19), 2665. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192665

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 19
PII: 2665

Researcher Affiliations

Cygan-Szczegielniak, Dorota
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Stasiak, Karolina
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Popescu M, Tripon MA, Lupșan AF, Bungărdean D, Crecan CM, Musteata M, Pașca PM, Mârza SM, Purdoiu RC, Papuc I, Lăcătuș R, Lăcătuș CM, Panait LC, Patrichi TS, Matei IR, Sisea CR, Bunea CI, Călugăr A, Petrescu-Mag IV, Daradics Z, Bora FD. Sentinel Equines in Anthropogenic Landscapes: Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Hematological Biomarkers as Indicators of Environmental Contamination. Toxics 2025 Dec 9;13(12).
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