The substantial of mineral ingredients in honey may symbolize the existence of elements in the plants and soil of the vicinity wherein the honey was taken. The aim of this study was to detect the levels of 13 elements (Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Aluminum (Al), and Selenium (Se)) in unifloral and multifloral honey samples from south and east regions of Turkey. Survey of 71 honey samples from seven different herbal origins, picked up from the south and east region of Turkey, was carried out to determine their mineral contents during 2015-2016. The mineral contents were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The most abundant minerals were K, Na, and Ca ranging within 1.18–268 ppm, 0.57–13.1 ppm, and 0.77–4.5 ppm, respectively. Zn and Cu were the most abundant trace element while Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr were the lowest heavy metals in the honey samples surveyed, with regard to the concentrations of heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr suggested and influence of the botanical origin of element composition. Geochemical and geographical differences are probably related to the variations of the chemical components of honey samples.

The aim of this study was to detect the presence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM1) in samples of raw milk (n=38), UHT milk (n=12), white pickled cheese (n=50), and yogurt (n=50) collected from the Şanlıurfa city markets and locally produced dairy products by ELISA. The mean contamination rates were 56.74 ± 40.32, 43.1 ± 23.19, 103.2 ± 29.13, and 55.28 ± 12.68 ng/kg, respectively, for raw milk, UHT milk, white pickled cheese, and yogurt. According to the data, 21 (55%) raw milk, 3 (25%) UHT milk, 10 (20%) white pickled cheese, and 10 (20%) yogurt samples were contaminated with AFM1 over the acceptable levels (≥50 ng/kg), ranging from 0.82 to 130.89 ng/kg. None of the white pickled cheese samples contained AFM1 levels above the Turkish legal limit (250 ng/kg). Consequently, the AFM1 contamination levels determined in this study in white pickled cheese were not considered to pose a serious public health hazard. However, the AFM1 levels in raw and UHT milk and yogurt samples indicate an increased human health risk in Turkey related to high aflatoxin levels. Therefore, milk and dairy products have to be monitored by the Turkish public health authorities continuously to detect AFM1 contamination.

Maternal breast milk is a unique biological matrix that contains essential micronutrients. Potentially heavy metals may also affect infants' health and growth through maternal breast milk. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the essential elements and heavy metals of maternal breast milk of nursery mothers residing in Şanlıurfa province, Turkey. Maternal breast milk concentrations of sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, and lead were analyzed in a random sample of the first time in urban and suburban nursery Turkish mothers (n: 42). Eight essential elements and two heavy metals were analyzed using ICP-MS after microwave digestion. For bivariate analyses of variables, we use nonparametric Spearman's correlation coefficient test. The mean concentrations of essential elements and heavy metals were as follows: sodium 330 ± 417 mg/L, magnesium 32.6 ± 15.5 mg/L, phosphorus 156 ± 46.2 mg/L, potassium 488 ± 146 mg/L, calcium 193 ± 53.2 mg/L, iron 1.65 ± 1.43 mg/L, copper 0.54 ± 0.46 mg/L, zinc 2.89 ± 3.23 mg/L, arsenic < 1 μg/L, and lead < 1 μg/L. Concentrations of heavy metals in maternal breast milk may have the important implication that it is not affected by environmental pollution in this province. This study provides reliable information about maternal breast milk concentrations of nursery mothers residing in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, and also compares the relations between essential elements and socioeconomic conditions, residing areas, and using copper equipment for food preparation of which some have not previously been reported.

This study was aimed at investigating the use of intra-testicular calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) and 4-vinylcyclohexene 1,2-monoepoxide (VCM) injections as a side effect-free alternative method for the control of reproduction in guinea pigs. Fifty male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to five groups. In all groups, the chemical agents were injected into both testes in 1% lidocaine hydrochloride. While Groups I, II and III were administered with a single dose (0.25 mL) of sterile physiological saline, 15 mg/100 g CaCl 2 , and 240 mg/kg VCM, respectively, Group IV and V received a daily dose of 15 mg/100 g CaCl 2 , and 240 mg/kg VCM for 3 days, respectively. On day 90 post-administration, all animals were weighed and later decapitated under ether anaesthesia. Blood and tissue (testis, liver, hypophysis and adrenal gland) samples were taken. Sperm samples from the cauda epididymis were examined for spermatological parameters. Blood was used for hormone analyses and tissue samples were examined histopathologically (haematoxylin-eosin) and immunohistochemically (Tunel staining). The epididymal sperm count decreased in all treatment groups. Excluding 2 animals, Group V displayed azoospermia. When compared to the control group, Group V displayed the highest prolactin and lowest testosterone levels, and Group III showed the highest testosterone level. Histopathological examination revealed no intoxication finding. Chemical castration with VCM may be a good alternative to surgical castration as it enables mass sterilization without postoperative risks in guinea pig.

This study investigated the protective effect of bromelain on sperm quality and DNA, antioxidant system and testis structure in rats with experimentally induced nickel toxicity. Four groups, each of 10 male Wistar albino rats, were established. One was maintained for control purposes, while the other three received bromelain alone, nickel alone and nickel+bromelain. While bromelain was administered by oral route (20 mg/kg), nickel sulfate was given intraperitoneally (20 mg/kg) at alternate days. Nickel exposure significantly reduced relative testicular weight and seminiferous tubule diameter. Nickel exposure also led to significantly decreased antioxidant levels, as well as a negative impact on sperm quality. On the other hand, nickel+bromelain administration increased sperm motility, sperm counts, viable sperm percentage and antioxidant levels, and reduced sperm DNA fragmentation. It was concluded that the administration of bromelain which has antioxidant effect to nickel-intoxicated rats prevented damage to sperm quality and DNA, and the antioxidant system.