الفهرس 
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Abstract
The objective of the present study is to evaluate the pollution of air with lead of auto-exhaustion and the negative impact of this air lead pollution on the healthy condition of draught horses. The study took place in Sohag city- Sohag Governorate from June 2009 to September 2010. The study included 56 horses aging from 6 to 9 years old of both sexes including 34 draught horses (group I) used in coaches where they are exposed daily to lead air pollution of motor vehicles and 22 horses (group II) which are used for riding and breeding purposes in non-exposed localities in rural areas (control).
Case history and clinical examination of the studied horses were done. Whole blood samples and blood serum as well as hair samples were collected for estimation of the various target parameters. Estimation of lead content in whole blood and hair was done. Evaluation of the effect of air lead pollution on the haemogram of lead-exposed draught horses was carried out. Estimation of the serum levels of vitamin C and E was also done. Correlations between lead content
in both whole blood and hair of lead-exposed horses and the various studied parameters were recorded.
Case history and clinical examination of the lead-exposed draught horses (group I) in the present study referred to poor performance, poor body condition and anemic visible mucous membranes, while those present in rural areas away from lead polluted air and used for pleasure and riding (group II- control) referred to clinically healthy ones. Lead content level (ppm) in all whole blood samples indicated highly significant higher lead content in lead-exposed horses (group I) p ≤ 0.01 that in non-lead exposed horses (group II). Lead content of all hair samples indicated significant (p ≤ 0.05) higher lead content in group I than in group II. Haemogram of all blood samples referred to the presence of normocrocytic hypochromic anemia in horses group I with highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) reduction in total RBC’s, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC. There were no significant changes in total WBC’s between group I and group II. Blood serum level of vitamins C showed highly significant decrease (p≤ 0.01) in group I comparing with group II and significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in blood serum vitamin E. The level of lead in the whole blood samples of lead-exposed horses (group I) showed positive correlation with the level of lead in the hair samples, negative correlation with total RBC’s, Hb, MCV, blood serum level of vitamin C, while no correlations were found in total WBC’s and blood serum level of vitamin E. The results obtained from the present
study allow us to conclude that the draught horses working in coaches in Sohag city, Sohag Governorate may expose to relatively mild lead intoxication, which means that there is a mild degree of lead air pollution coming from motor vehicles using high percentage of leaded gasoline. In addition, this depends upon the volume of inspired air polluted with lead along the day, the whole period and the crowd of the motor vehicles running in the city. Thus overcoming this problem or minimize its negative impact on the healthy conditions of draught horses in Sohag city, we suggest the followings:
- Restricting the use of high leaded gasoline in motor vehicles.
- Extending the use of natural gas stations instead of leaded gasoline as it is environmentally friendly and eco-friendly.
- Parking places for coaches should be made away from high density lead air pollution areas.
- Special attention should be given for supplementation of draught horses with excess antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E).