Toxicology

Anti-Neoplastic Testing

Ordering Anti-Neoplastic Testing Kits

***Kits contain 12 swipes and all necessary info/forms required for analysis**

Email: pds_tox@usask.ca with the following info:

  1. The number of kits to be purchased
  2. Address(es) for the kits to be sent
  3. Contact info for accounting department.  Do NOT include payment info in the email (credit card or other payment options).  Our accounting department will contact you regarding payment/purchase orders etc.

The purchased kits will be sent out usually the same day by Purolator.  

 


Ergot and Mycotoxin Analysis

Mycotoxin Ergot Submission Guidelines

Mycotoxin and Ergot testing must be submitted with the Mycotoxin Ergot Nitrate Toxin submission form.

PDS has implemented a $30.00 per sample grinding charge for Mycotoxin/Ergot testing. This charge will apply to feed that is submitted whole/un-ground. Ground samples can be submitted without the additional charge, but results will NOT be guaranteed for samples that cannot pass through a 35mesh (0.5 mm; flour consistency). Indicate on the Mycotoxin Ergot submission form if grinding is required.

 

Sampling Guidelines:

For Mycotoxin and Ergot analysis, correct sampling is critical since the toxin levels can be very high in the few contaminated seed heads and low or zero in unaffected heads. It is important that the sample accurately reflects the bulk lot.

  • In order to ensure that the sample is representative, it is essential that particles are not excluded ore included based on size or location in the bulk lot.
  • In a bulk lot that has been thoroughly mixed, it is assumed that all particles are evenly distributed, where as a lot that has been contaminated due to moisture leaks, etc. may only be contaminated in isolated pockets.
  • It is important to not miss these pockets, or sample only them, as they are not a good representation of the whole lot.

The best way to sample a static lot (storage bin, railcar, truck, sack, etc.) is an accumulation of many small samples taken from different locations throughout the lot (at least 5 locations).

  • The sampling probe should be long enough to reach the bottom of the container. 
  • It is recommended that each portion be about 200 g and one portion be taken for every 20 kg of product.
  • If this aggregate sample is too large, it should be blended, and a representative subsample of an appropriate size (~ 1 kg) taken.
  • Dynamic lots such as conveyor belts should involve multiple samples across the entire cross section of the moving stream.

Samples should be packaged in a large heavy duty zip lock freezer bag then shipped in an appropriately sized box; clearly identified with the sample ID and owner's name and sent with the completed submission form to (do not place the submission form inside the bag with the sample): 

Prairie Diagnostic Services 

52 Campus Drive 

Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4

(306) 966-7316

Samples may be shipped to PDS by bus, courier, or mailed.

 

Toxicology Reference Guide

5-fluorouracil (antineoplastic)
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Bismuth
Blue Green Algae
Cadmium
Calcium *
Cholinesterase
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Cyclophosphamide (antineoplastic)
Ergot Panel – see Test Guide for compounds included
Iron
Lead
Magnesium *
Manganese
Mercury
Methemoglobin

Mineral Panel #1: Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo
Mineral Panel #2: K, Ca, Na
Mineral Panel #3: Tl, Pb, As, Cd
Mineral Panel #4: Be, Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As,
Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi
Molybdenum
Mycotoxin Panel – see Test Guide for compounds included
Nickel
Nitrate
Nitrite
Potassium *
Selenium
Sodium *
Strontium
Thallium
Tin
Vanadium
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Zinc

* Also see Test Guide for other options for serum samples.

Please refer to the specific agent in the Test and Services Guide for prices and details. If agent not listed above it may be available as a referred-out test or new test (contact PDS).

Mineral Panel #1 Reference Ranges for Livestock

Source: Mineral Levels in Animal Health - 2nd Edition (R. Puls. 1994)

 

PDS Trace Mineral Reference Ranges version date October 4, 2024.pdf

Fetal/Newborn Calf Trace Mineral Reference Ranges version date November 15, 2024


Adult Horse Trace Mineral Reference Ranges

                     Serum / Blood

Trace Mineral      Sample    Concentration 
Cobalt Serum     >0.25 ppb (>0.00025 ppm)  
Copper Serum    0.5-2 ppm  
Iron** Serum    0.84-2.57 ppm 
Magnesium** Serum    18-35 ppm  
Manganese** Serum    0.5-2 ppb (0.0005-0.002 ppm)
Molybdenum Serum    0.05-0.5 ppb  
Selenium** Serum    0.14-0.25 ppm 
  Blood    0.17-0.25 ppm
 Zinc Serum    0.47-1.70 ppm
** Hemolyzed samples will result in falsely high concentrations.

Liver (wet weight basis) 

Trace Mineral    Concentration 
Cobalt --
Copper 4.0-7.5 ppm  
Iron 100-300 ppm 
Magnesium 130-200 ppm
Manganese 1.0-6.0 ppm 
Molybdenum --
Selenium 0.3-1.0 ppm 
Zinc 40-125 ppm 

 


 Adult Goat Trace Mineral Reference Ranges

                     Serum / Blood

Trace Mineral       Sample    Concentration
Cobalt Serum    Based on bovine data: 0.9-15 ppb
Copper  Serum    0.8-1.20 ppm
Iron** Serum    1.3-2.3 ppm
Magnesium** Serum    20-35 ppm
Manganese** Serum    Based on bovine and ovine data:
       Bovine: 0.006-0.70 ppm
       Ovine: 0.08-0.51 ppm
  Plasma    >0.03 ppm
Molybdenum  Plasma    Based on bovine and ovine data:
       Bovine: 0.01-0.10 ppm
       Ovine: 0.01-0.7 ppm
Selenium Serum    0.08-0.2 ppm
       Ovine whole blood: 0.120-0.50 ppm
Zinc** Serum    0.65-2.70 ppm
  Blood    1.4-2.82 ppm
** Hemolyzed samples will result in falsely high concentrations.

Liver (wet weight basis)

Trace Mineral    Concentration 
Cobalt Based on bovine and ovine data:
  Bovine: 20-85 ppb 
  Ovine: 30-90 ppb
Copper 25-150 ppm  
Iron 50-130 ppm 
Magnesium 130-220 ppm
Manganese 2.0-6.0 ppm 
Molybdenum Based on bovine and ovine data:
  Bovine: 0.14-1.40 ppm
  Ovine: 0.4-6.0 ppm
Selenium 0.25-1.20 ppm
Zinc 25-120 ppm


 Adult Sheep Trace Mineral Reference Ranges

                   Serum / Blood

Trace Mineral      Sample    Concentration 
Cobalt Serum     Based on bovine data: 0.9-15 ppb 
  Blood     0.15 ppm
Copper Serum    0.7-2.0 ppm  
Iron** Serum    1.66-2.22 ppm 
Magnesium** Serum    20-35 ppm  
Manganese** Serum    0.08-0.51 ppm
  Blood    0.02-0.025 ppm
Molybdenum Serum    0.001-0.050 ppm  
  Plasma    0.01-0.7 ppm
Selenium Serum    0.08-0.4 ppm 
  Blood    0.120-0.50 ppm
Zinc** Serum    0.8-1.2 ppm
** Hemolyzed samples will result in falsely high concentrations.

Liver (wet weight basis)

Trace Mineral    Concentration 
Cobalt 30-90 ppb
Copper 25-100 ppm  
Iron 30-300 ppm 
Magnesium 118-200 ppm
Manganese 2.0-4.5 ppm 
Molybdenum 0.4-6.0 ppm
Selenium 0.25-1.5 ppm
Zinc 30-75 ppm


Adult Bovine Trace Mineral Reference Ranges

            Serum / Blood

Trace Mineral      Sample    Concentration 
Cobalt Serum     0.9-15 ppb 
  Blood     0.15 ppm
Copper* Serum    0.6-1.5 ppm  
Iron** Serum    1.3-2.5 ppm 
Magnesium** Serum    18-35 ppm  
Manganese** Serum    0.006-0.07 ppm
  Blood    0.07-0.09 ppm
Molybdenum Serum    0.01-0.10 ppm  
  Plasma    0.08-10 ppm
Selenium** Serum    0.07-0.3 ppm 
  Blood    0.2-1.2 ppm
Zinc** Serum    0.8-1.4 ppm

* Copper in blood will decrease when liver stores become depleted (approx. ≤10 ppm ww). Therefore, normal blood copper does not rule out copper deficiency.

** Hemolyzed samples will result in falsely high concentrations. 

Liver (wet weight basis)

Trace Mineral    Concentration 
Cobalt 20-85 ppb
Copper 25-100 ppm  
Iron 45-300 ppm 
Magnesium 100-250 ppm
Manganese 2-6 ppm 
Molybdenum 0.14-1.40 ppm
Selenium 0.25-0.50 ppm
Zinc 25-100 ppm

Fetal/Newborn Calf Trace Mineral Reference Ranges

            Serum / Blood

Trace Mineral      Sample    Concentration 
Cobalt Serum     0.9-15 ppb 
Copper* Serum    0.6-1.5 ppm  
Iron** Serum    1.3-2.5 ppm 
Magnesium** Serum    18-35 ppm  
Manganese** Serum    0.006-0.07 ppm
Molybdenum Serum    0.01-0.10 ppm  
Selenium** Serum    0.13-0.16 ppm 
Zinc** Serum    1.5-2.5 ppm

* Copper in blood will decrease when liver stores become depleted (approx. ≤10 ppm ww). Therefore, normal blood copper does not rule out copper deficiency.

** Hemolyzed samples will result in falsely high concentrations. 

Liver (wet weight basis)

Trace Mineral    Concentration 
Cobalt 20-85 ppb
Copper* 30-150 ppm  
Iron 40-400 ppm 
Magnesium** 100-250 ppm
Manganese*** 0.6-6.0 ppm 
Molybdenum 0.14-1.40 ppm
Selenium* 0.3-1.20 ppm
Zinc*** 25-100 ppm

*Fetus/newborn accumulates at the expense of the dam (Se will be approx. 2-4x the maternal concentration). 

**Increase with gestation (Mn - 154 ppm at 100 days, 277-320 ppm at 280 days; Zn – 11-100 ppm at 100 days, 20-150 ppm at 280 days). 

**Vary with stage of gestation: will be low (<1 ppm ww) until 2-3 weeks of age. 




Adult Bison Trace Mineral Reference Ranges

Liver (wet weight basis)

Trace Mineral    Concentration 
Cobalt Based on bovine data: 20-85 ppb
Copper 25-100 ppm  
Iron 45-300 ppm 
Magnesium 100-250 ppm
Manganese 2-6 ppm 
Molybdenum Based on bovine data: 0.14-1.40 ppm
Selenium 0.25-0.50 ppm
Zinc 25-100 ppm