Studies on the intake and accumulation of heavy metals in dairy cows after feeding industrial dust containing zinc, lead and cadmium
Rosenberger, G.; Grunder, H.D.; Crossmann, G.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 83(11): 478-481
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 793805 Document Number: 104084
Twelve lactating cows were divided into three equal groups for the 22-week experiment. Group 1 was fed fodder (15 kg daily) containing natural levels of Zn (100 ppm); group 2, fodder containing Zn (1000 ppm), Pb (40 ppm) and Cd (4.6 ppm), representing 28, 1.1 and 0.13 mg/kg body weight, respectively; group 3, fodder containing Zn (1500 ppm), Pb (60 ppm), and Cd (7.3 ppm), representing 47, 1.8 and 0.23 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 increased their body weight by 3% and 5%, respectively, over the 22 weeks, while group 3 did not alter. Milk production and health were not influenced by the heavy metals. There was, however, a correlation between dosage and accumulation in hair, liver and kidneys, with traces in other organs also.