Muhammad Sajid
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Title: Lead (Pb) status and effect on some hematological and biochemical parameters in Lohi sheep
Biography
Biography: Muhammad Sajid
Abstract
Heavy metal toxicity is increasing day by day in developing countries like Pakistan. Increasing trends of industrialization and urbanization are sources of contamination. Animal products with higher metal levels are a serious health risk for human. The blood, serum and edible offal (liver & kidney) were collected from sheep which were grazing in a sewerage drain polluted area along with a control group. The hematology and biochemical parameters were measured to denote the effects of Pb on sheep. The lead concentration in soil, forage and sewerage water was ranging from 06.91-15.80 mg/kg, 1.61-4.65 mg/kg and 0.01-0.15 mg/L respectively. It was calculated that the 92.22% sheep showing serum lead concentration above the recommended safe limit of 0.35 mg/L was due to uptake of Pb from environment. The RBC count, Hb and PCV showed inverse correlation with Pb concentration in serum of sheep. The effect of heavy metal on liver was measured in terms of ALT, AST & ALP and that on kidney by serum urea and creatinine. It was concluded that the biochemical tests of liver and kidney showed no effect of Pb and hence, the animals possessed the higher tolerance against Pb. The study correlates the concentration of a heavy metal (Pb) in natural environment and its dissemination to animal along with the cumulative effect on edible offals (liver and kidney) and blood parameters. The findings of this study suggested that the water, forage and soil served as continuous source of lead accumulation in sheep which may pose serious health hazards for the consumers.