Vet Med - Czech, 2025, 70(9):307-312 | DOI: 10.17221/34/2025-VETMED

Multi-year study monitoring the mercury content in the tissues of cattle sampled in the Czech Republic between 2014 and 2023Original Paper

M Svoboda1, V Vlasakova2, D Harustiakova3, J Illek4, A Staffa4, J Vasek1, K Novotna Kruzikova5, J Cahova5, Z Svobodova5
1 Ruminant and Swine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
2 Central Veterinary Administration of the State Veterinary Administration, Prague, Czech Republic
3 RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
4 Large Animal Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
5 Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic

Analyses of mercury concentrations in the muscle, liver and kidneys of cattle were conducted in the Czech Republic during the period from 2014 to 2023. The average mercury content in muscles, livers, and kidneys of calves was 0.000 5 ± 0.000 0 mg.kg–1, 0.002 7 ± 0.000 5 mg.kg–1, and 0.004 1 ± 0.000 8 mg.kg–1, respectively. In fattening cattle, the average mercury content in muscles, livers and kidneys was 0.000 5 ± 0.000 0 mg.kg–1, 0.002 1 ± 0.000 2 mg.kg–1 and 0.004 9 ± 0.000 3 mg.kg–1, respectively. In cows, the average mercury content in muscles, livers and kidneys was 0.000 5 ± 0.000 0 mg.kg–1, 0.002 3 ± 0.000 1 mg.kg–1 and 0.006 9 ± 0.000 3 mg.kg–1, respectively. The maximum residual limit for human consumption was exceeded in 10 kidney samples (3 calves, 6 cows, 1 fattening cattle) and 1 liver sample (calf). In all age categories, the highest mercury concentrations were found in the kidneys, lower in the livers, and the lowest in the muscles. When comparing the age groups, significantly higher mercury concentrations were observed in the kidneys of cows than in calves and fattening cattle. It can be concluded that there is still a need for further monitoring of mercury concentrations in cattle tissues in the Czech Republic.

Keywords: calf; cow; heavy metal; kidney; liver

Received: April 24, 2025; Revised: June 17, 2025; Accepted: July 10, 2025; Prepublished online: September 26, 2025; Published: September 30, 2025  Show citation

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Svoboda M, Vlasakova V, Harustiakova D, Illek J, Staffa A, Vasek J, et al.. Multi-year study monitoring the mercury content in the tissues of cattle sampled in the Czech Republic between 2014 and 2023. Vet Med - Czech. 2025;70(9):307-312. doi: 10.17221/34/2025-VETMED.
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