Mineral and Heavy Metal Status as Related to a Mortality Event and Poor Recruitment in a Moose Population in Alaska

Abstract

Moose (Alces alces) found dead (FD) and hunter-killed (HK) in 1995 on the north slope of Alaska (USA) in the Colville River Drainage were evaluated for heavy metal and mineral status. Compared to previous reports for moose and domestic cattle, and data presented here from Alaska moose outside the Colville River area, levels of Cu were determined to be low in hoof, hair, liver, kidney, rumen contents, and muscle for these north slope moose. Iron (Fe) was low in muscle as well. These findings, in conjunction with evidence of poor calf survival and adult mortality prompted investigation of a mineral deficiency in moose (serum, blood, and hair) captured in the spring of 1996 and 1997. Captured males had higher Ca, Zn and Cu levels in hair than captured females. Female moose hair samples were determined to be low (deficient) in Cu, Ca, Fe, and Se with mean levels (ppm) of 2.77, 599.7, 37.4, and 0.30, respectively. Serum Cu level was low, and to a lesser degree Zn was deficient as well. Whole blood (1997 only) was marginally deficient in Se and all animals were deficient in Cu. Based on whole blood, sera and hair, Cu levels were considered low for moose captured in spring 1996 and 1997 in the Colville River area as compared to published data and other populations evaluated in this study. Low levels of ceruloplasmin activity support this Cu deficiency theory. Evidence indicates that these moose are deficient in Cu and other minerals; however, the remote location precluded sufficient examination of animals to associate this apparent deficiency with direct effects or lesions. Renal levels of Cd increased with age at expected levels.

Essential and non-essential elements in eight tissue types from subsistencehunted bowhead whale: Nutritional and toxicological assessment

“…Compared to other species of northern Alaska, bowhead whales of this study had similar or lower tissue concentrations of the toxic metal Hg (17,18). The Cd concentrations are similar to those previously reported for bowhead whales (18,27), which accumulate Cd with age in liver, and particularly in kidney (18), similar to other arctic mammals, including both terrestrial and marine species (17,18,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39). Other reports have addressed potential nutritional and toxic effects of such elemental concentrations in bowhead whales and domestic animals (32,18).…”

Hepatic Mineral Values of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) From Virginia

“…Copper deficiency has been reported in various wild cervid populations (Gogan et al, 1989;O'Hara et al, 2001;Johnson et al, 2007). Subclinical Cu deficiency may result in marginal signs of poor health and result in morbidity and mortality from other opportunistic factors, such as secondary infections, predation, and weather events (O'Hara et al, 2001). More overt signs of Cu deficiency include diarrhea, emaciation, enteritis, alopecia, sudden heart failure, and convulsions (Puls, 1994).…”

“…Further studies investigating glutathione peroxidase activity in deer with low-Se levels, as well as measuring concurrent vitamin E levels, may help elucidate whether the observed low-Se levels are clinically significant for this deer population. It is also worth noting that Se is commonly deficient during an ongoing Cu deficiency (O'Hara et al, 2001).…”

“…Copper deficiency in ruminants may result from inadequate dietary intake, or interactions of Cu with Zn, Fe, Mo, and sulfide that reduce absorption of Cu or interfere with metabolic processes (Suttle, 1991). Copper deficiency has been reported in various wild cervid populations (Gogan et al, 1989;O'Hara et al, 2001;Johnson et al, 2007). Subclinical Cu deficiency may result in marginal signs of poor health and result in morbidity and mortality from other opportunistic factors, such as secondary infections, predation, and weather events (O'Hara et al, 2001).…”

Mortandad Catastrófica De Guanacos Por Estrés Invernal Y Sus Implicaciones Arqueológicas: El Sitio Alero Los Guanacos 1, Lago Cardiel (Provincia De Santa Cruz, Argentina)

“…Un evento de este tipo puede afectar la dinámica de una población por años (Alonso Aguirre et al 1999, Berger 1983, Dumbar et al 1999, Klein 1968, Martinka 1967, O´Hara et al 2001, Paterson et al 1998, Reimers 1982, Schaller y Junrang 1988. Esto no implica que las poblaciones de guanacos no se recuperen o que, en relación con lo recién presentado, los grupos humanos no cuenten con estrategias para hacer frente a este tipo de riesgos.…”