Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in blood, hair and semen of stallions in Finland

Heavy metal contamination poses significant environmental and health risks to both humans and animals. This study investigates the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in blood, hair, and semen samples collected from 16 breeding stallions in Western Finland to assess whether concentrations in hair and serum samples represent concentrations in semen. The analysis was conducted using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system. Results showed that hair samples exhibited the highest concentrations of heavy metals, particularly Pb and As, while semen showed the lowest levels. No significant correlations were found between the concentrations of heavy metals in blood and semen, or between hair and semen, indicating that blood and hair may not reliably predict metal content in semen. This study is the first to compare Pb, As, and Cd levels in hair, blood, and semen of Finnish stallions and highlights hair as a promising non-invasive biomarker of heavy metal exposure. The results underline hair's potential as a reliable long-term biomarker due to its ability to accumulate metals over time.