Effect of sex on arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc accumulation in calves

This study evaluated the effect of sex on the accumulation of arsenic, cadm ium, lead, copper and zinc in calves. Samples of liver, kidney, muscle and blood of 312 animals (127 females and 185 males) were analysed after acid d igestion using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Arsenic was deter mined by AAS interfaced with continuous now hydride generation, cadmium and lead by graphite furnace, and copper and zinc by name. Females accumulated more cadmium, copper and zinc in kidneys than did males. The zinc blood le vels in females were higher than in males, whereas copper in liver was high er in males than in females. In the case of arsenic and lead, no significan t statistical differences between males and females were found.