Cadmium concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle in Australian sheep and cattle
- 1 January 1988
- journal article
- research article
- Published by CSIRO Publishing in Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
- Vol. 28 (3) , 291-297
- https://doi.org/10.1071/ea9880291
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in 1663 liver, 1779 kidney and 2526 muscle samples were measured in a residue survey organised by the Australian Bureau of Rural Science at meatworks throughout Australia. Cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys were also determined in sheep ranging in age from newly born to 112 months of age which had been grazed throughout life at high or low stocking rates on an improved pasture dressed annually with superphosphate. Concentrations of Cd in the residue survey averaged (with median) 0.30 (0.11), 0.96 (0.28) and 0.03 (0.01) mg/kg freshweight in ovine liver, kidney and muscle respectively; the corresponding values in cattle were 0.18 (0.08), 0.65 (0.24) and 0.03 (0.01) mg/kg. Concentrations in liver and kidney were greater in older than in younger animals, at high than at low stocking rates, and in South and Western Australia than in other States. Cadmium concentrations increase with age because ruminants are born with a low Cd burden, and much of the Cd ingested and absorbed thereafter is retained as Cd-metallothionein in the liver and kidney. It is postulated that differences in Cd levels between geographical regions, species and stocking rate are partially due to the consumption of soil that had been fertilised with superphosphate containing Cd. Hepatic and renal Cd concentrations were highly correlated and were assumed to reflect Cd intake; correlations with copper concentrations were generally small. Eight per cent of kidneys exceeded maximum permissible Cd concentrations for human consumption (2.5 mg/kg), but only 2% of liver and 1% of muscle samples exceeded the statutory maxima (1.25 and 0.2 mg/kg respectively).Keywords
This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- Analysis of data collected in a residue survey: copper and zinc concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle in Australian sheep and cattleAustralian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 1987
- Effects of different stocking intensities in early life on the productivity of Merino ewes grazed as adults at two stocking rates. 3. Survival of ewes and their lambs, and the implications for flock productivityAustralian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 1984
- Effects of different stocking intensities in early life on the productivity of Merino ewes grazed as adults at two stocking rates. 1. Wool production and quality, lamb growth rate, and size and liveweight of ewesAustralian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 1984
- The nutrition of ruminants grazing native and improved pastures. V. Effects of stocking rate and soil ingestion on the copper and selenium status of grazing sheepAustralian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1982
- Trace metal content of livers and kidneys of cattleJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1979
- Interactions of selenium, cadmium and copper in sheepAustralian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1976
- Effect of Dietary Cadmium on Growth, Cadmium Absorption and Cadmium Tissue Levels in Growing LambsJournal of Nutrition, 1974