EFFECT OF LEAD EMISSIONS ON SHEEP GRAZING IN HEAVY INDUSTRIZED AREA IN HELWAN, EGYPT

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Dept. of Hygiene, Animal Behaviour & Management Fac. Vet. Med., Moshtohor Zagazig Univ., Benha Branch

Abstract

Twenty animals from a sheep flock grazing in a heavy industrized area with lead smelters and battery factories near Helwan were examined for elemental lead pollutants. Equal number of sheep grazing in a rural area far away from any industrised regions were examined and served as controls. Blood samples were drawn form the jugular vein of the investigated and control sheep. The total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, bilirubin as well as alkaline phosphatse, aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes were estimated. Samples from water, vegetations and soils were collected from the study areas. The results revealed that the mean values of lead in serum, milk and wool of sheep exposed to industrial lead emissions were higher than that in sheep grazing in unpolluted area. Also, lead level in water, soil and vegetation in polluted area were higher than controls. Moreover, there was a hypoproteinaemia, albuminaemia, globulinaemia as well as decrease in the total lipids in sheep exposed to industrial emissions. The mean level of AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase were lower in sheep exposed to industrial emissions than in control animals.

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Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal
Volume 40.2, Issue 80
January 1999
Pages 147-155

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