The lead status of horses from central Europe depending on breed, sex, age and living area.

This research paper investigates how the lead (Pb) content in horses can be influenced by factors such as breed, sex, age, and living area. The findings indicate that warm-blooded horses tend to store more lead in their bodies than heavy horses, and that the lead content can also vary depending on the horse’s sex, age, and living environment.

Effect of Breed on Lead Content

• The breed of a horse significantly impacts the amount of lead that it stores in its body. This research found that warm-blooded horses store more lead in their skeleton, kidneys, liver, and cerebrum than heavy horses.

Effect of Sex on Lead Content

• Although the impact of a horse’s sex on lead content was less clear, the research suggested a trend whereby mares (female horses) with a normal lead supply store more lead than geldings (castrated male horses).

Effect of Age on Lead Content

• Age was found to have only a slight effect on the lead content in a horse’s skeleton. Older horses were observed to store more lead in the metatarsal bone (a long bone in the foot) than younger horses.

Effect of Living Area on Lead Content

• The living area’s lead availability significantly affected the lead content in horses. Horses living in high-lead areas were found to have higher levels of lead in their skeleton, liver, and kidneys, reflecting the site-specific influences.

Non-effect of Lead Exposure on Horse Meat

• Contrary to what might be expected, the lead content of horse meat was not influenced by lead exposure. This implies that lead is not additionally deposited in the muscles.