Physiological disturbances in rams chronically exposed to the chimney emissions of a copper smelter

Abstract Detrimental effects of heavy metals on animals and humans are of considerable concern. This research describes the long-term effects of exposure of male sheep to emissions from a copper smelter. Blood parameters and reproductive hormones were measured in male Kermani sheep reared around a copper smelter in KhatoonAbad, Kerman province, Iran. Representative blood samples were collected from randomly-selected rams (3–4 years old) at 4 geographical directions (south, north, east and west) and 4 distances (approximately 10, 20, 30 and 40 km) from the smelter. Hematological and biochemical parameters including WBC, HCT, HGB, AST, ALT, ALP and LDH were higher (P