Long-term dietary exposure to copper in the population in Germany - Results from the BfR MEAL study.

The German Total Diet Study (BfR MEAL Study) measured copper in 356 foods. In 105 of these foods copper was determined separately for conventionally and organically pooled samples. Mammalian liver, nuts, oilseeds, cocoa powder and chia seeds contained the highest copper levels.

Transfer and toxicokinetic modeling of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) into accidentally exposed dairy cattle and their calves - A case report.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants that accumulate in tissues of exposed animals and humans. This case report refers ton=3 dairy cows accidentally exposed to non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) of unknown origin on a German farm. At study start they had a cumulative total of 122-643 ng/g fat in milk and 105-591 ng/g fat in blood, consisting mainly of PCBs 138, 153, and 180.

Unraveling Congener-Specific Transfer of Non-Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) from Feed into Chicken Meat.

Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) are a subclass of persistent bioaccumulative pollutants able to enter the food chain. We investigated the transfer of ndl-PCBs from contaminated feed into meat and liver of fattening chickens. A total of 48 chicks were divided into five treatment and one control groups.

Marination increases the bioavailability of lead in game meat shot with lead ammunition.

As a consequence of the toxicological lead characteristics, a reduction of its exposure should consider all sources. Game meat might contain elevated levels of lead due to the use of lead ammunition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acidic marination on the bioavailability of ammunition-derived lead in game meat (Roe deer), using the growing pig as an animal model.

[Accidental feeding of the coccidiostat nicarbazin in layer breeder flocks - A case report].

Following the accidental feeding of a compound feed containing the coccidiostat nicarbacin in layer breeder flocks (Lohmann Brown Classic), the birds displayed distinct clinical signs within a few hours. Mortality increased during the following 5 days, whereas laying performance and hatching rate of eggs during this period decreased markedly. Egg shell discoloration was observed as early as during the first day.

Predicting the transfer of contaminants in ruminants by models - potentials and challenges.

Undesirable substances in feed can transfer into foods of animal origin after ingestion by livestock animals. These contaminants in food may threaten consumer health. Commonly, feeding trials are conducted with animals to assess the transfer of undesirable substances into animal tissues or milk.

Lead content in wild game shot with lead or non-lead ammunition - Does "state of the art consumer health protection" require non-lead ammunition?

The toxicity of lead has been known for a long time, and no safe uptake level can be derived for humans. Consumers' intake via food should therefore be kept as low as possible. Game meat can contain elevated levels of lead due to the use of lead ammunition for hunting.

Copper and zinc content in wild game shot with lead or non-lead ammunition - implications for consumer health protection.

The aim of this study was to examine the contamination of game meat with copper and zinc and establish whether the use of alternative (non-lead) ammunition can lead to higher or unsafe levels of copper and zinc in the meat of roe deer, wild boar and red deer. The research project "Safety of game meat obtained through hunting" (LEMISI) was conducted in Germany with the purpose of examining the entry of lead as well as copper and zinc into the meat of hunted game when using either lead or non-lead ammunition. The outcome of this study shows that the usage of both lead-based ammunition and alternative non-lead ammunition results in the entry of copper and zinc into the edible parts of the game.

Accumulation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in livers of young sheep.

A major part of sheep livers contains levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) above the former but to some extent also the new maximum levels (MLs) in the EU. In order to investigate the relationship between the intake of these contaminants and their accumulation in livers, kidney fat and meat, young blackhead sheep were fed with grass pellets containing PCDD/Fs at 2.5 times the maximum level.

Assessment of reference values for copper and zinc in blood serum of first and second lactating dairy cows.

The influence of different copper and zinc contents in rations on blood serum concentrations in dependence on feeding (Groups A and B) and lactation (Lactation 1 and 2) was tested in a feeding trial with 60 German Holstein cows. All animals received a diet based on maize and grass silage ad libitum. 30 cows received a concentrate supplemented with copper and zinc as recommended (Group A), whereas the other 30 animals were offered a concentrate with roughly double the amount of copper and zinc (Group B).

Effect of zeolite A on rumen fermentation and phosphorus metabolism in dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of zeolite A on several physiological parameters and on mineral metabolism in the rumino-intestinal-tract of cows. Eight double fistulated (rumen and proximal duodenum) cows were fed maize silage, grass silage and concentrate. Zeolite A was added to the ration over a period of three weeks at 0, 10 and 20 g/kg dry matter (DM).

Iodine concentration of milk in a dose-response study with dairy cows and implications for consumer iodine intake.

Most feed is poor in iodine and iodine supplementation of cow's diets must guarantee milk iodine concentrations for humans that contribute to prevention of the deficiency and minimize the risk of exceeding an upper limit of iodine intake. Five Holstein cows were fed four iodine doses (via Ca(Iota O(3))(2).6H(2)O).

[Influence of different copper and zinc supply on their concentrations in blood serum, liver and hair of dairy cows].

In a feeding trial at the Institute of Animal Nutrition of the Federal Research Institute of Animal Health (FLI) over 12 weeks with 20 cows of the German Holstein Breed the influence of different copper and zinc contents in the ration on their concentration in blood serum, liver and hair was tested. All animals received a diet based on maize- and grass silage ad libitum. The animals were divided in two groups with 10 cows each; group A received a concentrate according to their milk yield with a copper and zinc content as recommended (GfE 2001), whereas group B was offered a concentrate with roughly the double amount of copper and zinc.

[Influence of zeolite A supplementation during the dry period of dairy cows on feed intake, on the macro and trace element metabolism around calving and milk yield in the following lactation].

The object of the present study was to determine the influence of zeolite A, a calcium binder from the group of the aluminosilicate, on feed intake, macro and trace element metabolism as well as the milk yield in the following lactation in dairy cows. 46 cows were allotted to 2 groups (A--control group and B--experimental group). They were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum 2 weeks before calving.

[Some serum parameters of first lactation cows in relation to their supply of macro and trace elements as well as of vitamins].

At the Institute of Animal Nutrition of the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) in Braunschweig a feeding trial with 30 first lactating cows (German Holstein) was realised in 2004 for a complete lactation. All animals received a diet based on maize- and grass-silage ad libitum at the rate of 60:40 (DM-base) and concentrate depending on their milk yield.The animals were fed with energy and protein as recommended (GfE 2001) and were kept in loose housing.