Bulk and trace elements in the accessory glands of buffalo bulls.

Little is known of the importance of mineral levels in buffalo semen or the relationship of the level of various elements to spermatozoan activity. To establish a basis upon which further studies could be conducted, the accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbo-urethrals) of 43 buffalo bulls (2-4 years old) with intact testes and eight steers (3-4 years old) were analysed for their content of bulk and trace elements. The ash obtained from known weights of various accessory glands was used to determine the concentrations of Na and K using emission flame photometry. P was determined chemically, whereas Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn were assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The accessory glands of intact bulls varied significantly in the concentration of all elements except Fe. Ca and Cu were relatively more concentrated in the seminal vesicles. The prostate had the highest concentration of Zn, while the highest concentrations of Na, K, Mg and P were found in the bulbo-urethral glands. Age of the bulls had no marked effect on any of the elements studied except Cu which appeared to decrease significantly in older bulls. Seasonal variation was significant for the levels of K, Ca and Zn. Castration appeared to result in a highly significant reduction of Zn concentration in all accessory glands.

Pesticide residues in milk and fish samples collected from two Egyptian Governorates.

Because of the intensive use of pesticides for the control of certain pests in Egypt, country-wide residue monitoring programs must be established that can cover all the Egyptian Governorates exposed to pesticide treatments. To do so, limited programs must be adopted first, so that current situations and future needs for improved programs are identified. The present paper reports results from a limited monitoring program, which started in 1985 in one governorate and then expanded to include another in 1986. Fish and milk samples were the commodities selected for residue analysis. The results showed that milk samples collected from Beni-Suef Governorate in 1986 had lower levels of organochlorine residues compared to those collected in 1985. Residues in boltifish and catfish samples in 1986 were much higher than those detected in 1985. In comparison with Beni-Suef Governorate, and contrary to expectations, milk derived from Fayoum Governorate in 1986 was more contaminated with pesticides. While the amount of residues in boltifish was comparatively higher, catfish samples were less contaminated.