Journal of Animal Research

Blood and hair samples were collected from seventy adult cattle reared in villages located near the industrial effuent contaminated River adjoining Meerut. Based on the distance of the villages from the river, they were divided into three areas viz. area 1 (villages located on the river bank), area 2 (villages within 1km distance from the river) and area 3 (villages more than 2 km from the river). Samples collected from cattle reared in rural locality away from the river were used as control. The mean lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels of blood and hair in the animals of area 1 and area 2 were signifcantly higher (P<0.05) as compared to control animals. The mean Pb and Cd levels of animals of area 3 were not signifcantly different from control values. Signifcantly low (P<0.05) copper and iron concentration in blood and hair were recorded in the animals from area1 and area 2 as compared to area 3 and control animals. Blood and hair zinc levels were not signifcantly different among animals of different areas. The blood cadmium level had signifcant negative correlation with blood copper(r=-0.379, p<0.01) and iron(r=-0.395, p<0.01). The blood lead levels had signifcant negative correlation with blood iron (r=-0.138, p< 0.05) and hair copper (r=-0.178, p< 0.05) and iron (r=-0.302, p< 0.05). The blood cadmium level had signifcant negative correlation with hair copper (r=-0.377, p< 0.01) and iron (r=-0.482, p<0.01). The study concludes that blood lead and cadmium infuenced the concentration of trace minerals in the blood and hair.