Bioaccumulation and damaging action of polymetal industrial dust on laboratory mice Mus musculus alba II. Genetic, cell, and metabolic disturbances

An ecologo–toxicological experiment was carried out with laboratory mice Mus musculus alba of the inbred line BALB/c. The experimental animals (male and female) were exposed for 120 days to polymetal industrial dust containing zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium, which was mixed with conventional animal food. Chromosome aberration frequency and pathological changes in hematological indices, oxygen consumption, body temperature, and body weight were studied in the context of heavy metal bioaccumulation and interactions. Samples for analyses were taken on days 15, 40, 60, and 90. An increased frequency of chromosome aberrations (up to 22%), lead-induced anemia, and significant decreases in body temperature were observed. A strong correlation between hemoglobin content and oxygen consumption (O2/ g h) was established. An increase in hematocrit, accompanied by a loss of body weight after day 60, suggests dehydration resulting from lead and cadmium poisoning.