The aim of the experiment was to determine the content of some chemical elements in  meat tissue in  kids  of  the  White  Improved  breed  and  in  rams of the Polish Lowland breed. After weaning (60 days of life), the animals were fed all-mash CJ and meadow hay. The mixtures were produced from components originating from the Polish region called Podlasie. At the age of 1 month, all kids and rams were castrated using the blood method. They were slaughtered at the age of 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of life. Samples to analyse the  chemical  elements  were  taken  from  longissimus  dorsi  muscles.  Concentrations  of  Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe and Mg were determined. Generally,  more  Pb  in  meat  tissue  of  kids  than  rams  was  found,  and  a  significant difference  (p=0.01)  for  the  slaughter  on  the  120th  day  of  life  was  proven.  However,  the content of Cd was larger (p=0.05 for 90, 120 and 150 days) in ram tissues (0.003-0.014 mg kg–1) than in kids. It should be noticed   that both in kid and ram meat tissues, the norms for Pb and Cd content, established by the Minister of Health and the European Committee, were not exceeded, which makes the meat suitable for consumers. The meat tissue of kids was richer in iron and poorer in zinc and copper than that of lambs, and the level of these elements decreased with the slaughter age. It was also observed that the iron con- tent in meat tissue on the 180-day slaughter of animals was less than 17 mg kg–1. More copper in meat tissue of rams and zinc in kids slaughtered at the age of 150 and 180 days were found. To sum up, intensive feeding applied to fatten kids and lambs did not affect the accumulation of chemical elements in meat, and especially that of heavy metals.      

   17.1.2012