Cadmium and lead in female cattle livers and kidneys from Vojvodina, northern Serbia.

ABSTRACT

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined in livers (n = 52) and kidneys (n = 52) of female cattle (345-2717 days old) from dairy farms in the region Vojvodina. Cd and Pb were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, after microwave digestion. Cd and Pb concentrations did not exceed the Serbian and European maximum set limits in any sample. The Cd concentrations in the livers and kidneys ranged from 0.033 to 0.151 mg kg-1 wet weight and from 0.055 to 0.510 mg kg-1 wet weight, respectively. The corresponding Pb concentrations were 0.015-0.159 mg kg-1 wet weight and 0.021-0.196 mg kg-1 wet weight, respectively. Mean Cd and Pb concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the liver (0.072 and 0.053 mg kg-1 wet weight) than in the kidney (0.190 and 0.075 mg kg-1 wet weight). There were good correlations between Cd in liver and Cd in kidney, Pb in liver and Pb in kidney, Cd level and age and Pb level and age in both tissues.