<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Benzophenones (BPs) are used in various branches of industry as ultraviolet radiation filters, but they pollute the natural environment, penetrate living organisms, and disrupt endocrine balance. Knowledge of the exposure of domestic animals to these substances is extremely scant. The aim of the study was to investigate long-term exposure of companion dogs to BPs and relate this to environmental factors.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<h3>Material and Methods</h3>
<p>Hair samples taken from 50 dogs and 50 bitches from under 2 to over 10 years old were analysed for BP content with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<h3>Results</h3>
<p>The results revealed that dogs are most often exposed to 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) and 4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1). Concentration levels of BP-3 above the method quantification limit (MQL) were noted in 100% of the samples and fluctuated from 4.75 ng/g to 1,765 ng/g. In turn, concentration levels of BP-1 above the MQL were noted in 37% of the samples and ranged from &lt;0.50 ng/g to 666 ng/g. Various factors (such as the use of hygiene and care products and the dog’s diet) were found to affect BP concentration levels. Higher levels of BP-3 were observed in castrated/spayed animals and in animals that required veterinary intervention more often.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The results obtained show that the analysis of hair samples may be a useful matrix for biomonitoring BPs in dogs, and that these substances may be toxic to them.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
Benzophenones (BPs) are used in various branches of industry as ultraviolet radiation filters, but they pollute the natural environment, penetrate living organisms, and disrupt endocrine balance. Knowledge of the exposure of domestic animals to these substances is extremely scant. The aim of the study was to investigate long-term exposure of companion dogs to BPs and relate this to environmental factors.


Material and Methods
Hair samples taken from 50 dogs and 50 bitches from under 2 to over 10 years old were analysed for BP content with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.


Results
The results revealed that dogs are most often exposed to 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) and 4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1). Concentration levels of BP-3 above the method quantification limit (MQL) were noted in 100% of the samples and fluctuated from 4.75 ng/g to 1,765 ng/g. In turn, concentration levels of BP-1 above the MQL were noted in 37% of the samples and ranged from <0.50 ng/g to 666 ng/g. Various factors (such as the use of hygiene and care products and the dog’s diet) were found to affect BP concentration levels. Higher levels of BP-3 were observed in castrated/spayed animals and in animals that required veterinary intervention more often.


Conclusion
The results obtained show that the analysis of hair samples may be a useful matrix for biomonitoring BPs in dogs, and that these substances may be toxic to them.

An evaluation of dogs’ exposure to benzophenones through hair sample analysis

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction
Benzophenones (BPs) are used in various branches of industry as ultraviolet radiation filters, but they pollute the natural environment, penetrate...

An evaluation of dogs’ exposure to benzophenones through hair sample analysis

Published Online: Apr 11, 2024

Page range: -

Received: Nov 06, 2023

Accepted: Apr 03, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2024-0022

Keywords
endocrine disruptors, pets, dogs, benzophenones, exposure

© 2024 Sławomir Gonkowski et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

An evaluation of dogs’ exposure to benzophenones through hair sample analysis

Published Online: Apr 11, 2024

Page range: -

Received: Nov 06, 2023

Accepted: Apr 03, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2024-0022

Keywordsendocrine disruptors, pets, dogs, benzophenones, exposure

© 2024 Sławomir Gonkowski et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
endocrine disruptors, pets, dogs, benzophenones, exposure