Haematological Alterations Induced by Oral Subacute Exposure to Fenvalerate,Nitrate and Their Combination in Domestic Buffalo,Bubalus bubalis

The present study investigated haematological alterations induced by oral subacute exposure to fenvalerate, nitrate and their combination in the domestic buffalo, Bubalus bubalis. Fenvalerate exposure produced significant declines in haemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte count (TLC), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and a corresponding elevation in mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Following oral exposure to sodium nitrate, significant declines in blood Hb, TLC, TEC, MCH and MCHC, and a significant elevation in MCV occurred. Combined exposure to fenvalerate and sodium nitrate produced severe effects with an appreciably more prominent decline in Hb, TLC, TEC and MCHC and a significant elevation in MCV. The percentage of methaemoglobin was observed to follow an elevating trend in animals exposed to sodium nitrate alone (0.69 %–13.8 %) and in combination with fenvalerate (0.75 %–13.7 %).     

焊工体内重金属负荷与氧化应激损伤

目的研究焊工接触多种重金属与其体内氧化应激损伤的关系。方法采用横断面流行病学调查方法,以123名焊工和82名非焊工为研究对象,以石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法检测血清铅、镉和锰含量,采用超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、丙二醛(MDA)评价体内氧化应激水平。结果焊工血铅(115.49±79.22)μg/L和血镉(3.67±3.19)μg/L含量高于对照组;焊工GSH-Px活力(185.4±31.8)U低于对照组,MDA含量(391.0±128.2)μg/L高于对照组。焊工血铅与GSH-Px水平成负相关,与MDA呈正相关;血锰与MDA成正相关。焊工血铅与GSH-Px和MDA的剂量效应关系拟合曲线分别为y=-0.1353x+212.35和y=0.0059x+4.6407。结论氧化应激水平升高是焊工体内过量铅和锰导致神经行为功能改变的机制之一。     

Effects of Heavy Metals (Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+) During the Embryonic Development of Acridid Grasshoppers (Insecta, Caelifera)

Heavy metals present in the soil get differently accumulated in organisms and show different rates of toxicity at different stages of the life cycle of any organism living there. To see whether such toxicants get accumulated during the embryonic development and/or change the normal developmental processes of organisms exposed to heavy metals, freshly laid eggs and egg pods of two acridids, Aiolopus thalassinus and Eyprepocnemis plorans, were tested against different concentrations of Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. At increasing Hg²⁺ concentration in the substrate, an increased egg mortality and reduced nymphal hatching in A. thalassinus were observed, yet no change in the normal duration for embryonic development was noticed. A higher hatching rate of E. plorans nymphs than that of A. thalassinus could possibly be due to the higher tolerance, contributed by larger egg volume and thicker foam around the egg pods of the former. Treated concentrations of Hg²⁺ could be of sublethal (0.121 μg Hg²⁺/g substrate) to lethal (0.605 μg and more Hg²⁺/g substrate) doses. The mortality of eggs did not always increase with increasing substrate concentration of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺, and the hatching rates of both grasshopper species in many cases were even higher than that in the control. Still, lower accumulation factors of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ than that of Hg²⁺ were found coupled with not increased mortality. The tested concentrations of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in the substrates, thus, could be of subacute doses. The embryonic development was found prolonged due to Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. During parallel egg and egg pod treatments, higher metal concentrations were found in not developed eggs than that in fresh nymphs hatching from the same substrates. This indicated the role of foam around the egg pods as “protective filter” against the toxic substances in the soil. Received: 31 May 1998/Accepted: 12 November 1998     

Study on the In Vitro Effects of the Mixtures of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Heavy Metals on Ethoxyresorufin-O-Deethylase (EROD) Activity in Mossambica tilapia Liver

This paper reports in vitro effects of individual heavy metals (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺), and PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene(BaP), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IP) and fluoranthene (FL), and their mixtures on ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities using a plate-reader method. The results showed that all three metals inhibited EROD activity, while BaP/IP significantly induced the enzyme. However, FL alone decreased EROD activity. Moreover, co-treatment with BaP/IP and heavy metals inhibited PAH-induced EROD activities, while combined exposure to FL and heavy metals induced FL-inhibited EROD activities.     

苯并(a)芘对体外培养人胚肺成纤维细胞活力的影响

目的研究苯并（a）芘[B（a）P]对体外培养的人胚肺成纤维细胞（HELF）活力的影响。方法不同浓度B（a）P、不同染毒时间处理HELF细胞。低浓度染毒组分为10个剂量组,浓度梯度为10.000、5.000、2.500、1.250、0.625、0.313、0.156、0.078、0.039、0.018μmol/L,染毒时间分别为2、4、6、24h;高浓度染毒组分为4个剂量组,浓度梯度为125.0、62.5、31.3、15.6μmol/L,染毒时间分别为2、4、6、24、48、72h;以浓度为0.25%DMSO的无血清DMEM高糖培养基溶液为阴性对照组,应用四甲基偶氮噻唑蓝微量酶反应比色法（MTT法）研究B（a）P对HELF细胞活力的影响。结果与阴性对照组比较,0.018～10.000μmol/L低剂量B（a）P染毒组在所有时间点上对HELF的细胞活力无影响（P〉0.05）。15.6～125.0μmol/LB（a）P染毒HELF细胞,2、4h后对HELF细胞活力无影响。125.0μmol/LB（a）P染毒6h,125.0、62.5、31.3μmol/LB（a）P染毒24、48h,以及15.6～125.0μmol/L染毒72h对HELF细胞活力存在显著抑制作用（P〈0.05）。结论B（a）P对HELF细胞活力的影响存在显著的时间与剂量依赖性。     

Effects of vitrification procedures on subsequent development and ultrastructure of in vitro-matured swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of two vitrification procedures on developmental capacity and ultrastructural changes of matured swamp buffalo oocytes. In vitro-matured oocytes were vitrified by using 35 and 40% ethylene glycol as vitrification solution for solid surface vitrification (SSV) and in-straw vitrification (ISV), respectively. Survival rate of vitrified-warmed oocytes, evaluated on the basis of ooplasm homogeneity, oolemma integrity and zona pellucida intactness, as well as parthenogenetic blastocyst rates of vitrified-warmed oocytes were significantly higher with SSV (89.3 and 13.6%, respectively) than ISV (81.8 and 5.5%, respectively). However, they were still significantly lower than that of control oocytes (100 and 34.2%, respectively). For examining the ultrastructural changes, fresh, VS-exposed (ISV and SSV), and vitrified-warmed (ISV and SSV) oocytes were processed for transmission electron microscopy. In VS-exposed oocytes, reduction of microvilli abundance and damage of mitochondrial membrane were found only in the ISV group. In vitrified-warmed oocytes, however, it was clear that both methods of vitrification induced profound ultrastructural modifications to microvilli, mitochondria, oolemma and cortical granules as well as to the size and position of vesicles. Damaged mitochondria were, however, more abundant in ISV vitrified oocytes than in SSV vitrified oocytes, which correlated with the developmental data, showing the superiority of the SSV method. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of vitrification of in vitro-matured swamp buffalo oocytes.     

Acute Toxicity of Heavy Metals to Tetrahymena in an In Vitro Experiment and Envelope Damage Study

The toxicity of Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ to Tetrahymena growth metabolism was studied by microcalorimetry at 28°C, and the growth constant (k), peak time (T) and generation times (T _G) were calculated. The metal ion concentrations that resulted in 50 % inhibition (IC ₅₀) of population growth were obtained through the dynamic parameters. The results indicated that the order of toxicity was Cd²⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Cu²⁺. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry results suggested that the metal ions affected the permeability of the cell membrane. Observations of the Cd-exposed organisms by scanning electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell membrane in the form of an altered surface appearance. The cells suffered serious damage after sufficient acting time. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that amide groups and PO₂ ^? of the phospholipid phospho-diester, both located in the hydrophobic end of the outer layer of the cell membrane, were most readily affected.     

An outbreak of buffalopox in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) dairy herds in Aurangabad, India

An outbreak of buffalopox in domestic buffaloes, with high morbidity and significant production loss, was recorded in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra State in India in November 2003. The disease was also associated with several cases of human infection, particularly in milkers working with the affected herds. Pox lesions were observed on the udder and teats of the majority of the affected animals, while a few animals exhibited lesions on the hindquarters, indicating possible generalised infection. A significant reduction in milk yield was recorded following the outbreak. Milkers developed pox-like lesions on the skin of the hands, forearms and forehead accompanied by fever for three days, axillary lymphadenopathy and general malaise. Investigation of the disease outbreak by virus isolation in Vero cell cultures and detection of viral nucleotide sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the aetiology of the disease.     

控制超排卵中获卵数与体外受精胚胎移植结局的关系

目的：探讨控制超排卵（COH）中获卵数对体外受精-胚胎移植（IVF—ET）结局的影响，及超排卵中最佳获卵数。方法：接受IVF—ET或卵细胞浆内单精子显微注射（ICSI）助孕治疗的不孕症患者221例，其中获卵数〈5者31例（Ⅰ组），获卵数5—10者96例（Ⅱ组），获卵数11—15者49例（Ⅲ组），获卵数〉15者45例（Ⅳ组），回顾性分析4组IVF／ICSI结局。结果：Ⅰ组临床妊娠率（25．8％）明显低于第Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组，差异有极显著统计学意义（P〈0．01），Ⅳ组临床妊娠率（40％）低于Ⅱ组（53．13％）及Ⅲ组（53．04％），但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），而重度卵巢过度刺激综合征（OHSS）Ⅳ组发生4例（8．89％），Ⅲ组1例（2．04％），Ⅰ、Ⅱ组无发生。结论：在COH中获卵数5—15个时临床妊娠率最高，获卵数≤10个时可避免重度OHSS发生。     

First molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from Bubalus bubalis (water buffalo) in Victoria,Australia

We conducted a molecular epidemiological survey of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from Bubalus bubalis (water buffalo) on two extensive farms (450 km apart) in Victoria, Australia. Faecal samples (n = 476) were collected from different age groups of water buffalo at two time points (six months apart) and tested using a PCR-based mutation scanning-targeted sequencing-phylogenetic approach, employing markers within the small subunit of ribosomal RNA (designated pSSU) and triose phosphate isomerase (ptpi) genes. Based on pSSU data, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium bovis and Cryptosporidium genotypes 1, 2 (each 99% similar genetically to Cryptosporidium ryanae) and 3 (99% similar to Cryptosporidium suis) were detected in two (0.4%), one (0.2%), 38 (8.0%), 16 (3.4%) and one (0.2%) of the 476 samples tested, respectively. Using ptpi, Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and E were detected in totals of 56 (11.8%) and six (1.3%) of these samples, respectively. Cryptosporidium was detected on both farms, whereas Giardia was detected only on farm B, and both genera were detected in 1.5% of all samples tested. The study showed that water buffaloes on these farms excreted C. parvum and/or G. duodenalis assemblage A, which are consistent with those found in humans, inferring that these particular pathogens are of zoonotic significance. Future work should focus on investigating, in a temporal and spatial manner, the prevalence and intensity of such infections in water buffaloes in various geographical regions in Australia and in other countries.     

输卵管积水处理方法对体外受精与胚胎移植的影响

目的:探讨输卵管积水处理方式对体外受精与胚胎移植(IVF-ET)治疗效果的影响。方法:回顾性分析因输卵管因素不孕行IVF-ET治疗的518个周期资料,根据输卵管积水处理方法分为A组控制性超排卵(COH)及取卵时经阴道超声(TVS)穿刺抽吸输卵管积水55个周期,B组COH经TVS观察有输卵管积水未经处理58个周期,C组有输卵管积水史39个周期,D组输卵管积水造口术34个周期,E组同期因输卵管不孕因素行IVF-ET治疗332个周期并作为对照。结果:各组胚胎种植率分别为15．39％、9．79％、21．28％、22．22％、19．71％,临床妊娠率分别为25．46％、 18．79％、38．46％、38．24％、35．84％,B组种植率和临床妊娠率最低,与C、D、E组比较差异有显著性(P<0．05)。结论:TVS探测到的输卵管积水未经处理而行IVF-ET种植率和临床妊娠率较低,COH中经阴道抽吸输卵管积水和输卵管积水造口术可提高IVF-ET的种植率和临床妊娠率。     

Lead and Trace Element Levels in Milk and Blood of Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Hyderabad,India

The presence of lead (Pb) in milk and its interaction with trace elements is a serious health concern. Present study is aimed at determining Pb and trace element (Fe, Zn and Mg) levels in milk and blood/serum samples of lactating buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) living in a market-area (Group-A) and a dairy-experimental station (Group-B), Hyderabad, India. In addition, kidney and liver function tests were assessed. Fodder, milk and blood Pb levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in Group-B. Elevated Pb levels correlated positively with reduced Fe and Zn levels in both serum and milk. A significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation between blood Pb and milk Pb levels was observed. Kidney and liver function markers were significantly higher in Group-B buffaloes. The results suggest that contaminated fodder might be one of the responsible factors for elevated Pb levels. In addition, lower levels of Fe and Zn might have led to bioaccumulation of Pb in blood and milk.     

Effects of Heavy Metals Artificial Contamination on Porcellio laevis (Latreille, 1804) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - This study aimed at determining the competition of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) on their assimilation, on the food...     

Response of Pistia stratiotes to Heavy Metals (Cr, Ni, and Zn) and Phosphorous

The effects of Cr, Ni, Zn, and P exposure on the root anatomic structure, growth, and chlorophyll a concentration of Pistia stratiotes L. were studied. Plastic aquaria containing 50 g of wet plants and 5 L of pond water added with the contaminant(s) were disposed. The treatments were: (1) Cr, (2) Ni, (3) Zn, (4) P, (5) Cr + Ni + Zn, (6) Cr + Ni + Zn + P, and (7) control. Contaminant additions were done seven times. In each addition, concentrations of 1 mg of metals or 5 mg of P per liter of water were added. Chlorophyll a was an indicator more sensitive to Zn and Cr toxicity than the relative growth rate. Ni and Cr + Ni + Zn treatments were the most toxic ones, in which biomass and the root anatomical parameters (root length, cross-sectional areas [CSAs] of root, stele, and metaxylem vessels) decreased significantly. The addition of P to the treatment with combined metals attenuated the decrease in plant growth and root length, and caused a significant increase in CSAs of total metaxylem vessels, suggesting that P increased the tolerance of P. stratiotes to metals. This fact has important implications for the use of this macrophyte in constructed wetlands for industrial wastewater treatment.     

The Effect of In Vitro Exposure to Tributyltin on the Immune Competence of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Leukocytes

We evaluated the direct effects of in vitro exposures to tributyltin (TBT), a widely used biocide, on the cell-mediated immune system of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Splenic and pronephric leukocytes isolated from juvenile Chinook salmon were exposed to TBT (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 mg/l) in cell cultures for 24 h. Effects of TBT on cell viability, induction of apoptosis, and mitogenic responses were measured by flow cytometry. Splenic and pronephric leukocytes in the presence of TBT experienced a concentration-dependent decrease in viability in cell cultures. Apoptosis was detected as one of the mechanisms of cell death after TBT exposure. In addition, pronephric lymphocytes exhibited a greater sensitivity to TBT exposure than pronephric granulocytes. The functional ability of splenic B-cells to undergo blastogenesis upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation was also significantly inhibited in the presence of 0.05, 0.07, or 0.10 mg/l of TBT in the cell cultures. Flow cytometric assay using a fluorescent conjugated monoclonal antibody against salmon surface immunoglobulin was employed for the conclusive identification of B-cells in the Chinook salmon leukocytes. Our findings suggest that adverse effects of TBT on the function or development of fish immune systems could lead to an increase in disease susceptibility and its subsequent ecological implications.     

Effect of Chronic Sublethal Exposure of Major Heavy Metals on Filtration Rate, Sex Ratio, and Gonad Development of a Bivalve Species

The chronic toxic effects of major heavy metals including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) on the filtration rate (FR), sex ratio, and gonad development of immature blood clams, Tegillarca granosa, were investigated. The FRs were significantly inhibited by Cu, Pb and Cd, with rates generally decreasing with both increasing metal concentrations and exposure time. EC₅₀ values for FR after 28 days of exposure were 12.9, 12.7 and 14.4 μg/L for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively. Zn exposure had no effect on FR. Sex ratios were significantly altered from controls in favor of an increased proportion of males at metal concentrations of ≥14.2, ≥86 and ≥110 μg/L for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively; and at ≥1.68 mg/L for Zn. The gonado-somatic index was significantly reduced in clams at all metal exposures, except for the lowest concentration of Cu (7.1 μg/L).     

In Utero Exposure to Heavy Metals and Trace Elements and Childhood Blood Pressure in a U.S. Urban,Low-Income,Minority Birth Cohort

Background: In utero exposure to heavy metals lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) may be associated with higher childhood blood pressure (BP), whereas trace elements selenium (Se) and manganese (Mn) may have protective antioxidant effects that modify metal-BP associations.Objectives: We examined the individual and joint effects of in utero exposure to Pb, Hg, Cd, Se, and Mn on childhood BP.Methods: We used data from the Boston Birth Cohort (enrolled 2002–2013). We measured heavy metals and trace elements in maternal red blood cells collected 24–72 h after delivery. We calculated child BP percentile per the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline. We used linear regression models to estimate the association of each metal, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine metal coexposures, with child BP between 3 to 15 years of age. Results: Our analytic sample comprised 1,194 mother-infant pairs (61% non-Hispanic Black, 20% Hispanic). Hg and Pb were not associated with child systolic BP (SBP). Se and Mn were inversely associated with child SBP percentiles, which, on average, were 6.23 points lower with a doubling of Se (95% CI: −11.51, −0.96) and 2.62 points lower with a doubling of Mn (95% CI: −5.20, −0.04). BKMR models showed similar results. Although Cd was not associated with child SBP overall, the inverse association between Mn and child SBP was stronger at higher levels of Cd (p-interaction=0.04). Consistent with this finding, in utero exposure to cigarette smoke modified the Mn–child SBP association. Among children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, a doubling of Mn was associated with a 10.09-point reduction in SBP percentile (95% CI: −18.03, −2.15), compared with a 1.49-point reduction (95% CI: −4.21, 1.24) in children whose mothers did not smoke during pregnancy (p-interaction=0.08).Conclusion: Se and Mn concentrations in maternal red blood cells collected 24–72 h after delivery were associated with lower child SBP at 3 to 15 years of age. There was an interaction between Mn and Cd on child SBP, whereby the protective association of Mn on child SBP was stronger among mothers who had higher Cd. The association of Mn and child SBP was also modified by maternal cigarette smoking—a source of Cd—during pregnancy. Optimizing in utero Se levels, as well as Mn levels in women who had high Cd or smoked during pregnancy, may protect offspring from developing high BP during childhood. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8325     

Influence of different sources of injected selenium on certain enzymes, glutathione and adenosylmethionine concentration in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves.

Sodium selenite and selenomethionine were investigated as possible causative factors for the induction of Degnala disease syndrome in twelve buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves divided into three groups of four. Group 1 was the control group and received no additional selenium. Sodium selenite and selenomethionine were given daily as intramuscular injections on a selenium-equivalent basis, with a weekly increment in the dose of 0.05 mg Se/kg live weight from 0.05 to 0.20 mg Se/kg live weight per day, in groups 2 and 3 respectively. Only one animal from group 3 manifested the lesions of Degnala disease. The blood Se concentration and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSH-Px) activity were both greater in groups 2 and 3 than in control group 1. The overall blood Se concentration was 0.22 (SE 0.01), 0.38 (SE 0.12) and 0.77 (SE 0.20) micrograms Se/ml in groups 1 to 3 respectively with corresponding GSH-Px activities of 63.84 (SE 7.38), 88.37 (SE 12.38) and 165.32 (SE 40.62) enzyme units/mg protein. Erythrocyte glutathione reductase (NAD(P)H) (EC 1.6.4.2) activity was not affected by treatment but reduced glutathione content was lower in groups 2 and 3. Liver adenosylmethionine, estimated at autopsy, was lowest (22.87 (SE 6.17) mumol/g) in group 3, and greatest (102.63 (SE 9.39) mumol/g) in group 1 (P less than 0.01). Organic Se sources seemed to accumulate in tissues more than inorganic sources, and might be the causative toxic factors of Degnala disease.