Impact of Environmental Trace Elements on Blood Biomarker in Buffalo and Cow

Abstract

This research examined the temporal variability of blood albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in buffaloes and calves in relation to trace element exposure (Fe, Pb, Co Se, As, Mo) from soil and forage in six feeding pastures over three seasonal sampling periods. Soil lead (Pb) levels ranged from 26.36 to 31.616 mg/kg, while forage Pb peaked at 13.14 mg/kg in the first sampling period at pasture-E. Blood Fe concentrations in 3-month calves showed a significant decline from 285.27 to 180.92 µg/dl across sampling periods, while ALT levels in buffaloes ranged from 32.8 to 55.4 U/L, with the highest values observed in late sampling periods in 3-month and 9-month calves. Albumin concentrations remained relatively stable but demonstrated physiological-stage-specific variation, being highest in non-lactating buffaloes during the third period (5.12 g/dl). Soil arsenic (As) values were also elevated, reaching up to 29.681 mg/kg, while forage As concentrations exceeded 5 mg/kg in some pastures. Selenium (Se) in soil varied from 0.569 to 1.137 mg/kg, influencing blood mineral balances and enzymatic responses. These trace element fluctuations are closely mirrored in the enzymatic activity and protein levels in animal blood, highlighting environmental exposure as a modulating factor in liver health and metabolic stability.