Elemental status of the adaptive state of reindeer calves in the ecological conditions of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra

Abstract

The chemical composition of essential elements in the longissimus back muscle and liver of 7-8-month-old reindeer calves has been evaluated. Differences in the content of Ca, a positive relationship with Mg and Fe have been noted. The identified features of metabolism in calves bred in different environments, the determining factor of which are soil types in the stable functioning of the soil–plant–animal system, provide advantages of the physiological state of the organism. By the studies of 2020 and 2021, calves of the current year of birth, comprising 83 % of slaughter, accumulate toxic substances, radionuclides and dioxins in muscle tissue, liver and kidneys within the agreed health-based exposure limits as they grow and develop under technogenic load of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra. Among the heavy metals studied (Cd, Hg, Pb, As), Pb and As concentrations in calves have low values of maximum permissible concentrations.