RADIOACTIVITY, HEAVY METAL AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MEASUREMENTS IN THE FOLLICULAR FLUIDS OF CATTLE BRED NEAR A COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT - S.A. Akarsu; M. Yilmaz; S. Niksarlioglu; F. Kulahci; A. Risvanli1 (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2017)
Keywords: Coal-fired power plants release heavy metals via gas and dust discharges and can radioactive pollution. This can harm human and animal health. Livestock are often exposed; and the reproductive system is one of the most commonly affected systems. In this study; we measured heavy metals and radioactivity levels as well as oxidative stress parameters in the ovarian follicular fluids from cattle bred near coal-fired power plants. Samples were from the slaughter houses near the coal-fired power plants in Elbistan (n=25) samples from Elazig (n=14)—300 km from the plant—served as the control. Cadmium (Cd); lead (Pb); and mercury (Hg) measurements were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Malondialdehyde (MDA); Glutathione (GSH); and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were measured colorimetrically with a spectrophotometer. 210Pb; 129I; 238U; 232Th and 40K were measured with a gamma counter. It was conclude that the Pb concentration was high in the follicular fluids of the cattle bred near the Elbistan coal-fired power plant (22.27±1.73 µg/dL; P<0.05). However; MDA concentration was high in the cattle from Elazig (85.77±10.40 µmol; P<0.05). The Cd; Hg; GSH levels and GSH-Px activity were not different (P>0.05). No difference was found between the groups with regard to radioactivity parameters. These assays may be of value to animal breeders and authorities working near the Elbistan Power Plant.