Peter Massanyi

Concentration of Copper, Iron, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, and Nickel in Bull and Ram Semen and Relation to the Occurrence of Pathological Spermatozoa

Abstract In this study the concentration of copper, iron, zinc, cadmium, lead, and nickel in bull and ram semen and relation of these metals to spermatozoa morphology was investigated. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed that copper concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in ram semen in comparison with bull semen. The zinc concentration was higher in bull semen in comparison with ram semen. The iron and cadmium concentrations in the semen were similar. Higher concentration of lead was found in ram semen. Higher levels of nickel were found in ram semen in comparison with bulls. In bull semen 11.79 ± 4.88% of pathological spermatozoa was found. Higher occurrence of pathological spermatozoa was in ram semen (17.17 ± 3.76) in comparison with the semen of bulls. Separated tail, tail torso, and knob twisted tail were the most frequent forms of pathological spermatozoa in both species. Correlation analysis in bulls showed high positive relation between iron and zinc (r = 0.72), nickel and separated tail (r = 0.76), separated tail and tail torso (r = 0.71), tail torso and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.72), and between tail ball and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.78). In rams high positive correlation between cadmium and lead (r = 0.98), nickel and separated tail (r = 0.77), separated tail and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.69), knob twisted tail and retention of cytoplasmic drop (r = 0.78), and between knob twisted tail and other pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.71) was found. High negative correlation in ram semen was observed between copper and nickel (r = 0.71), copper and separated tail (r = 0.70), and between iron and tail torso (r = 0.67). The results suggest that the studied metals have a direct effect on spermatozoa quality.

Accumulation of Some Metals in Muscles of Five Fish Species from Lower Nitra River

This paper reports the results of accumulated selected metals concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb, Cd, Hg and meHg) in the muscle of five common Slovak fish species (Chub–Leuciscus cephalus, Common carp—Cyprinus carpio, Prussian carp—Carassius gibelio, Roach—Rutilus rutilus, and Wels catfish—Silurus glanis). Furthermore, correlations among the selected metals and order of metal accumulation in the fish muscle were determined. The concentrations of metals (mg/kg wet weight basis) ranged as follows: Fe 3.70–21.10; Mn 0.27–1.50; Zn 3.72–42.82; Cu 0.26–1.82; Ni 0.02–0.29; Co 0.06–0.28; Cr 0.09–0.28; Pb 0.08–34.59; Cd 0.06–2.76, Hg 0.34–3.64 and meHg 0.08–1.20. The level of lead and mercury exceeded the maximum allowed concentration in Slovakia by the Codex Alimentarius for safe human consumption (0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively) in the majority of samples (94.6 and 82.1%, respectively). Content of Cd (0.88 ± 0.76 mg/kg wet weight) in the fish muscle exceeded maximum allowed levels (0.05 mg/kg) in all samples. An average, the order of metal concentrations in the fish muscle was: Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd > Hg > Cu > Mn > meHg > Ni > Cr > Co.

Accumulation of Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Liver and Kidney of the Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) in Relation to the Season, Age, and Sex in the West Slovakian Lowland

Abstract Concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury in liver and kidneys of brown hares in relation to season, age, and sex were investigated. Over a period of one year 74 hares, 36 males and 38 females were analyzed. The concentrations of lead and cadmium were analyzed by AAS and mercury was determined by mercury vapor technique. The median concentration of lead in liver as well as in kidney in relation to the season is the highest in winter period in comparison with spring, summer, and summer period (p<0.001). The highest concentration of cadmium was found in winter, but the differences were not significant. In mercury, we report significantly higher (p<0.001) median concentrations in liver (0.023 mg kg−1) as well as in kidney (0.068 mg kg−1) in winter period in comparison with all other observed periods. In relation to age the concentrations in lead and mercury in liver and kidney were very similar, without significant differences. In cadmium we report significantly higher concentrations in the liver as well as kidney in adult animals (0.154 and 1.521 mg kg−1) in comparison with juvenile animals (0.048 and 0.582 mg kg−1, respectively). In comparison of the female and male brown hares we found significantly higher (p<0.05) median concentration of lead in the liver of males (0.216 mg kg−1) than in females (0.127 mg kg−1) and the level of cadmium is significantly higher (p<0.001) in females (1.464 mg kg−1) than in male brown hares (1.384 mg kg−1).

Impact of oxidative stress on male fertility - a review.

Oxidative stress is a state related to increased cellular damage caused by oxygen and oxygen-derived free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is a serious condition, as ROS and their metabolites attack DNA, lipids and proteins, alter enzymatic systems and cell signalling pathways, producing irreparable alterations, cell death and necrosis. While small amounts of ROS have been shown to be required for several functions of spermatozoa, their excessive levels can negatively impact the quality of spermatozoa and impair their overall fertilising capacity. These questions have recently attracted the attention of the scientific community; however, research aimed at exploring the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants associated with male fertility is still at its initial stages. This review summarises the current facts available in this field and intends to stimulate interest in basic and clinical research, especially in the development of effective methods for the diagnosis and therapy of semen damage caused by oxidative stress.

Concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in leg skeletal muscles of three species of wild birds

The aim of this study was to monitor accumulation of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in leg skeletal muscle of some wild birds from selected areas of Slovakia and the correlations among the heavy metals. A total of 160 wild birds representing 3 species—Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) (n = 24), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (n = 68) and pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (n = 68) were involved for analyses. Concentrations of heavy metals from samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Metal concentrations are expressed as mg/kg wet weight. The order of lead and arsenic concentrations in muscles of wild birds were as follows: mallard > pheasant > Eurasian coot; in the case of arsenic the differences were significant (P < 0.05). Muscle of Eurasian coot accumulated the highest concentration of cadmium and mercury followed by pheasant and the lowest in mallard, but differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Moderately negative correlations were noted in pheasant between cadmium and mercury (r = −0.39), and between mercury and arsenic (r = −0.45). Moderately negative correlation between cadmium and arsenic (r = −0.31) was found for Eurasian coot.

Distribution of cadmium and lead in liver and kidney of some wild animals in Slovakia

Abstract The content of cadmium and lead, as risk factors of environment, in liver and kidneys of wild animals as brown hare (Lepus europaeus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), wood mouse (Cleithrionomys glareolus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) were studied. Samples were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (AAS). The highest levels of cadmium were found in kidneys (0.213–2.387 mg/kg) of all animal species. The concentration of cadmium in liver was 0.032–0.258 mg/kg. The analysis of lead showed that the concentration of this element was higher in kidneys of yellow-necked mouse and wood mouse (0.503–0.780 mg/kg) than in liver (0.177–0.268 mg/kg). In brown hare and red deer a higher accumulation of lead in liver (0.221–1.904 mg/kg) in comparison with kidneys (0.115–0.561 mg/kg) is reported.

Environmental levels of cadmium, lead and mercury in brown hares and their relation to blood metabolic parameters.

The purpose of this study was to examine concentrations of selected heavy metals in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus). In addition, correlations between heavy metals and biochemical parameters in blood plasma were determined. The average concentrations of heavy metals (mmol/L) ± SD were as follows: liver: Pb 0.221 ± 0.189, Cd 0.160 ± 0.140, Hg 0.021 ± 0.030, kidney: Pb 0.115 ± 0.125, Cd 1.570 ± 1.103, Hg 0.030 ± 0.053. The average concentrations of biochemical parameters in the blood plasma were as follows: Ca 3.16 mmol/L, P 2.19 mmol/L, Mg 1.40 mmol/L, Na 148.71 mmol/L, K 8.12 mmol/L, glucose 6.56 mmol/L, total proteins 56.49 g/L, urea 5.00 mmol/L, total lipids 1.40 g/L, bilirubin 3.97 μ mol/L, cholesterol 1.53 mmol/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 6.06 μ kat/L and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 1.94 μ kat/L. Average levels of hormones (ng/mL) were as follows: testosterone 2.94, androstendiol 0.13, estradiol 501.59, progesterone 6.63, oxytocin 328.60. Tissue analysis showed an accumulation of lead, cadmium and mercury in the liver and kidney of brown hares. There were no significant correlations between levels of heavy metals in liver, kidney, and biochemical parameters.

Contamination of wild-grown edible mushrooms by heavy metals in a former mercury-mining area

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of six edible wild species of mushrooms (Boletus pulverulentus, Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius quietus, Macrolepiota procera, Russula xerampelina and Suillus grevillei) by heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn and Fe). Mushroom samples were collected from sites contaminated by emissions from mining and processing of polymetallic ores in operation during the period 1969–1993 in Rudňany, southeast Slovakia. The four study sites spanned up to a 5-km distance from the emission source. The collected mushroom samples were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and/or Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with graphite furnace. Mercury, Cd and, in some samples, also Pb present the highest risks in terms of contamination of the food chain following subsequent consumption. The content of two metals in the dry matter (dm) of the mushrooms exceeded the limits set by the European Union (EU; Cd: 0.5 mg/kg dm, Pb: 1.0 mg/kg dm). The highest mean contents of the eight metals recorded for S. grevillei were 52.2, 2.15, 107, 104, 2.27, 2.49, 81.6 and 434 mg/kg dm for Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn and Fe, respectively. The highest content of Cd was recorded in M. procera (3.05 mg/kg dm) and that of Co in L. quietus (0.90 mg/kg dm). The calculated weekly intake for Hg, Pb and Cd shows that regular consumption of mushrooms from the studied area poses risks to human health.

Mercury-induced alterations in rat kidneys and testes in vivo

In this study effects of mercury administration on the kidney and testicular structure of adult rats were evaluated. Rats received mercury (HgCl2) in single intraperitoneal dose 20 mg HgCl2 (group A), 10 mg HgCl2 (group B) and 5 mg HgCl2 (group C) per kilogram of body weight and were killed after 48 hours following mercury administration. After the preparation of histological samples the results were compared with control group (K). In kidney decreased diameters of glomeruli and renal corpuscles, damaged tubules with affected quality of tubular cells and infiltration of interstitium were detected. Quantitative analysis demonstrated increased relative volume of tubules and renal corpuscles. Also the number of nuclei and glomeruli was increased in all experimental groups. The diameter of glomeruli and renal corpuscles was decreased. In testis undulation of basal membrane, dilatation of blood vessels in interstitium and occurrence of empty spaces in germinal epithelium were observed. Decreased relative volume of germinal epithelium, increased relative volume of interstitium and increased apoptosis occurrence suggest damaged interstitium and revealed occurrence of edemas. The relative volume of seminiferous tubules showed higher luminization. The number of nuclei was decreased in all experimental groups what is in positive relation with occurrence of empty spaces. Also other evaluated criteria demonstrated significant differences between control group and experimental groups. This study reports a negative effect of mercury on the structure and function of kidney and testes.

CONCENTRATION OF SELECTED METALS IN LIVER, KIDNEY AND MUSCLE OF THE RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS)

Abstract Concentration of cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, copper, and manganese in liver, kidney, and muscle of red deer was investigated. For analysis of the content of these trace elements an AAS method was used. The concentration of cadmium was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kidney in comparison with liver and muscle. The level of lead was the highest in muscle (p < 0.05). Lower values were detected in liver and in kidney. The concentration of chromium was very similar in all studied tissues. A higher concentration of zinc was found in muscle, followed by kidney and liver. The level of copper was significanlty higher in liver (p < 0.05), and lower in kidneys and muscle. In evaluation of the concentration of manganese in red deer, the highest concentration of this element in liver was detected.