Effects of age and sex on the content of heavy metals in the hair, liver and the longissimus lumborum muscle of roe deer Capreolus capreolus L.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of age and sex on the content of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu) in the hair, liver and the longissimus lumborum muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). In addition, correlations between heavy metals in individual tested matrices were studied as well as an attempt was made to explain the reasons for their accumulation in specific research matrices. The levels of Zn and Cu were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (F-AAS). The levels of Pb and Cd were analysed by means of electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ET-AAS). In the own research, sex-related statistically significant differences in concentrations of analysed elements were confirmed. Higher levels of the elements were observed in samples collected from does (except for Cd in the liver samples of 6–7-month-old male fawns) but only in some cases, these values were statistically significantly higher. In some cases, age-related differences in the content of individual metals were also confirmed. Age-dependent increased Pb levels in the muscle and liver were reported in 6–7-month-old, <3–4-year-old, <5–6-year-old males. Similar relationships were confirmed for Zn in the bucks’ muscles. In the group of does, the increase in heavy metal concentrations with aging was observed for Zn in the muscle and for Pb in the liver. In the other cases, the trend of age-related level changes regarding heavy metals was not clearly demonstrated. Significant positive correlations between Cu and Cd were found for all samples, and significant negative correlations of Cu with Pb were found for the hair and liver. There was a negative correlation of Zn with Cu in all matrices. The study also revealed a negative correlation between Zn and Pb in muscle and a strong significant negative correlation between Zn and Cd in hair and in the liver.

Concentration of Selected Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Horse Hair as an Important Tool for the Monitoring of Animal Exposure and Health

“…This can be explained by the metabolic antagonism between these elements that compete with each other during their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of copper influences the concentration of zinc in the body and its metabolism [ 2 , 3 , 25 , 26 ]. The same negative and significant correlation was reported from studies on the hair of red deer [ 3 ] and roe deer [ 2 ].…”

“…Heavy metals accumulate in different organs and tissues. They can be detected, for example, in hair, internal organs and muscles [ 2 , 3 ]. Toxic metals such as cadmium or lead pose a serious risk to the proper function of living organisms.…”

“…It can act as an antioxidant and also influences the function of many enzymes, DNA, proteins and transcription factors [ 9 ]. Copper is primarily involved in the formation of haemoglobin, as well as the proper function of many enzymes, often as a structural component, such as, among others, superoxide dismutase, tyrosinase or cytochrome c oxidase [ 2 , 6 , 8 ]. Any anomalies in the concentration—both deficiency and excess—of copper and zinc are undesirable and may produce a toxic effect by disrupting the function or structure of many enzymes and thus tissues or organs [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Any anomalies in the concentration—both deficiency and excess—of copper and zinc are undesirable and may produce a toxic effect by disrupting the function or structure of many enzymes and thus tissues or organs [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. All heavy metals enter the body mainly through the respiratory tract and the alimentary tract [ 2 ].…”

“…Thus, hair is a more stable analytical matrix, providing a lot of information about a given type of exposure over the years [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The main advantage of this biological material is its availability, which enables easy, stress-free and non-invasive sampling [ 2 , 3 , 14 , 15 ]. A high concentration of toxic elements in the bodies of livestock may reduce their productivity, performance and metabolism [ 15 , 16 ].…”