A total number of thirty clinical cases suspected to be suffering from arsenic toxicity with the clinical signs including depression, prostration, weight loss, weakness, dehydration, anaemia, anorexia, diarrhoea with blood, ruminal stasis, lethargy, dermatosis, reddish urine, dry dull rough, epilated hair coat, anoestrus were screened by haemato-biochemical examinations. They were selected for inclusion in the present study based on the significant alterations suggesting of arsenic toxicity. These ten healthy animals were kept as a healthy control group (Gr. I) & the thirty clinical cases of each species which were randomly selected for this study were kept as experimental group (Gr.II).

All the animals of different groups were subjected to the following experimental procedure as given below:

Figure 1

During the survey period, routine clinical examinations like haematological and blood and serum biochemical examinations were done.

Arsenic content in blood of control and experimental animals was estimated as per AAS method described by Sandal (1950) Arneza et al. (1977) & Sarkar (1989).

A known volume of serum was digested with double the volume of triple acids[Nitric acid 10 parts, Perchloric acid 3 parts & Sulphuric acid 1 part (V/v)] on hot plate & dilution to a known concentration was finally made with de-ionised water by filtration (Whatman filter paper No.42).

The above aliquot was used for the estimation of arsenic in the blood in AAS and values were expressed in terms of µg/ml or ppm

Collection of urine and faeces from animals

Estimation of arsenic in urine and faeces

The above aliquots were used for the estimation of arsenic in the urine and faeces in AAS and values were expressed in terms of µg/ml or ppm (for urine) and ?g/gm or ppm (for faeces).

Criteria for analysis of blood, urine and faeces of animals

Blood, urine and faecal samples were analysed for estimation of arsenic. They were as follows.

Figure 2

All the data obtained were analysed in SPSS (version 10.0) following general linear model. The results were expressed as mean and pulled SE of mean (SEM).Healthy groups were considered as fixed factors and different blood and biochemical parameters were considered as dependant variable. The means were compared using Independent t tests. Probability of P < 0.01 and P<0.05 were described as highly significant (at 1% level) and significant (at 5% level) respectively.

The recovery percentage of As in blood was found to be in the range of 82.8 to 86.3%. Therefore this experimental procedure as stated above for estimation of arsenic was accepted.

The As concentration in blood (table 1.) of Gr. II (0.284 ± 0.014 ppm) was significantly higher than that of animals of Gr. I (0.054 ± 0.044ppm).

Significant increase level of As was possibly due to intake of plants containing high amount of As.

Selby et al. (1974) opined that the toxic dose of arsenic is as low as 0.75mg/kg in blood.

The findings was simulated with the reports of Rosiles (1977), Biswas et al. (1998) and Fieldman et al. (2000) who recorded the increased level of As in As toxicated animals.

Information in connection with this profile in the literature collected for the present study was scanty.

From the table 1 statistical analysis(P<0.01) showed that the arsenic concentration in urine of Gr.II (0.286 ± 0.014ppm) was significantly higher than the control animal (0.067± 0.030 ppm).

Increased level of As in urine might be due to higher concentration of As in blood.

This finding was corroborated with the report of Lakso et al. (1975) who recorded that the permissible limit of inorganic arsenic in urine sample of cattle was 0.05-0.17 mg/L(methyl arsenate-0.12-0.26 mg/L).

The report of present study was in accordance with the report of Browning (1969) as urinary excretion of As rises with the increasing Ac intake so that he total urinary Ac excretion provides a useful index of exposure.

The observation was simulated with the report of Wagner and Weswig (1975) and Underwood (1977).

From the table 1, the statistical analysis showed that the concentration of As (0.643 ± 0.015ppm) in faeces of Gr.II was increased significantly (P<0.01) than that of the healthy control group (0.128 ± 0.056 ppm).

The concentration of As in faeces is higher than the concentration of As in urine.

Increased level of As in faeces confirmed the findings of As content in blood & urine.

Figure 3

Table 1: Mean ± S.E. of the values of arsenic level in blood, urine and faeces of Control (Gr. I) and affected (Gr. II) animals.

Superscript (a, b) denotes there is significance difference exist between two mean.

Significant value (P<0.01) indicates highly significant at 1% level.

Significant value (P<0.05) indicates significant at 5% level.

The authors are thankful to the Dean of the faculty for providing the necessary facilities to conduct the research work.