Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Determination of lead and zinc concentrations in the blood and liver of the captive common green iguana (Iguana iguana).

Full Abstract

Heavy metal toxicosis is a well-known phenomenon in wild, captive-animal, and domestic animal medicine. However, the occurrence among reptiles is not well documented. One reason for this is the lack of information regarding reference blood and tissue levels of heavy metals in reptiles. To determine normal blood lead, plasma zinc, and liver lead and zinc concentrations, blood and liver samples were collected from 4 adult and 16 juvenile, healthy green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Lead and zinc levels were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Using the mean +/- two SD as the normal reference range, the present study suggests the following for captive common green iguana: 1) whole blood lead level: 0.06 +/- 0.06 microg/ml; 2) plasma zinc level: 2.68 +/- 1.66 microg/ml; 3) liver lead level (wet-weight basis): <1.0 +/- 0.0 microg/g; 4) liver lead level (dry-weight basis): <3.0 +/- 0.0 microg/g; 5) liver zinc level (wet-weight basis): 24.9 +/- 11.6 microg/g; and 6) liver zinc level (dry-weight basis): 83.4 +/- 44.6 microg/g. These values are fairly consistent with published reference levels in other mammalian and avian species.

Author information

Author/s: Burns, Russell P (RP); Paul-Murphy, Joanne (J);

Affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Drive West, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA. rburns(-atsign-)sandiegozoo.org

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (J Zoo Wildl Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 40 (issue 3) : pp 495-500

Dates: Created 2009/09/14; Completed 2009/10/22;

PMID: 19746865, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/22/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Animals, Zoo - blood; metabolism Iguanas - blood; metabolism Lead - blood; metabolism

Liver - metabolism Reference Values Spectrophotometry, Atomic - veterinary Zinc - blood; metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Lead (7439-92-1) ; Zinc (7440-66-6)

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