Effect of some heavy metals contents on general health and blood constituents of sheep

Abstract EN

The present investigation studied the effect of drinking water from the drainage irrigation canal from agricultural farms using superphosphate fertilizers and in the vicinity of a superphosphate factory at one of the villages of Dakahlia Governorate.

In this respect the amount of five heavy metals (copper, zinc, cadmium, iron and lead) were estimated and compared with healthy tap water.

In addition these heavy metals were estimated in the blood serum of sheep drinking from drainage canal and other sheep drinking from tap water.

Furthermore, blood serum constituents of urea, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase were estimated.

The general health status of sheep drinking from the drainage canal showed marked emaciation, dullness, depression, unthriftiness, pale mucous membranes and rough coat while sheep drinking from tap water were clinically healthy without any abnormal changes.

The obtained results pointed to the presence of high levels of heavy metals copper, zinc, cadmium, iron and lead when compared with tap water.

These increases were reflected on the blood serum of sheep drinking water from the drainage canal.

The same increases were obtained with regards to blood urea, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase.