Trace metals and micronutrients in bone tissues of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)

In this study we determined the levels of trace elements (zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and mercury) in three layers of bones of the hip joint (cartilage, compact bone and spongy bone) of 30 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from north-western Poland. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ICP-AES) in inductively coupled argon plasma using a Perkin-Elmer Optima 2000 DV. Determination of Hg concentration was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In cartilage, compact bone and spongy bone samples from the red fox, median concentrations of the metals studied could be arranged in the following descending series: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg, the values ranging from 142 to 0.002 mg/kg dw. There was a significant difference in Cu concentrations, among all the materials analyzed, with much more Cu found in spongy bone than in compact bone. Significant differences were also noted in the case of Hg concentrations in cartilage with compact bone and the spongy bone, and between concentrations of this metal in compact bone and spongy bone. In males, the concentration of Hg in spongy bone was greater than in females. Younger foxes had a higher concentration of this metal in cartilage than adults. The strongest synergistic relationships were observed in spongy bone between the Zn and Cu, Zn and Cd, as well as between Cu and Cd. Statistically significant antagonistic relationships were detected between zinc and lead in compact bone. In addition to monitoring studies conducted on the abiotic environment, an urgent need exists for long-term monitoring of concentrations of heavy metals with long-term effects on living organisms. An important addition is provided by biomonitoring studies on domesticated and free-living mammals, including Canidae

Digenea of Haliaeetus albicilla [Linnaeus, 1758] and Pandion haliaetus [Linnaeus, 1758] from middle and north-western Poland

In 2003–2008 eight white−tailed eagles and two ospreys from middle and north−western Poland were examined for the presence of parasites. Nine birds were infected with 5 digenean species: Conodiplostomum perlatum, Paracoenogonimus ovatus, Strigea falconis, Metorchis crassiusculus and Nematostrigea serpens. M. crassiusculus was found for the first time in an eagle from Poland

The effect of environmental factors on concentration of trace elements in hip joint bones of patients after hip replacement surgery

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of environmental factors: cigarette smoking, dental amalgam fillings, eating habits and osteoporosis, on the concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the bone of hip joint in patients in the Orthopedics Clinic in Szczecin, Poland. Amalgam dental fillings had an effect on the Cu concentration in the cartilage with the adjacent compact bone, and on Hg concentration in the spongy bone. The highest concentrations of Cu and Hg were found in people with multiple amalgam fillings. Smoking appeared to influence Pb concentration in the cartilage with the adjacent compact bone, and Cd concentration in the spongy bone. Increased Pb was detected in smokers, and increased Cd in non-smokers. Diets rich in fish and seafood correlated with Cd concentration in the cartilage with adjacent compact bone. The greatest concentration was in people who ate fish or seafood at least once a month