Sex- and age-dependent accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from NW Spain

Abstract

In the present study, bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium and zinc in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Galicia (NW Spain) was quantified. Metal analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In general the quantified concentrations were associated with background environmental levels, except for Pb, where some markedly elevated concentrations were obtained, but with no toxicological relevance. The effect of sex on Cd, Pb and Zn levels was considered, females showing a general trend to accumulate higher concentrations of these metals, with the exception of the hepatic content of Cd (which was significantly higher in males, P < 0.05) and Pb levels, which did not differ according to sex. The effect of age was analysed only in male animals and was clearly observed for Pb levels, with concentrations significantly higher in adult animals (liver: P < 0.01, kidney: P < 0.05 and muscle: P < 0.001) and for Cd levels in kidney samples (P < 0.001). This study provides the first data on heavy metal content in roe deer from the area of study and suggests that this species could be a good bioindicator of metal pollution, even though both factors, sex and age, could represent an important source of variation in the bioaccumulation of these metals in wild populations.

Cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in selected red deer (Cervus elaphusL.) tissues from north-eastern Croatia

“…Wild herbivores are the most suitable species for this purpose. [1][2][3][4] The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of selected metals in various red deer tissues in relation to age groups. On the basis of the parameters obtained, an evaluation was made of environmental contamination and possible potential negative effects on red deer and subsequently human health.…”

Age-Related Patterns in Trace Element Content Vary Between Bone and Teeth of the European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

“…It is widely acknowledged that urbanization constitutes one of the most important threats to wildlife and its biodiversity in the present day (McKinney 2008 ). Expanding urban landscape, industrialization, and modern agriculture practices are all associated with growing emission of gaseous and particulate matter to the environment (Pacyna and Pacyna 2001 ; Pacyna et al 2007 ; Norgate et al 2007 ; Garcia et al 2011 ). Contamination from burned fuel and other sources gets to the air, water, and plants (Markert 1993 ; Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 2001 ; Palczewska-Komsa et al 2016 ).…”

“…Thus, it seems likely that concentrations of trace elements in roe deer tissues could reflect concentrations of pollutants in the local environment (Kucharczak et al 2006 ). However, different trace elements might be deposited in different tissues at a varying rate (Ericson et al 1991 ; Komarnicki 2000 ; Garcia et al 2011 ; Kubaszewski et al 2014 ). Also, there might be large age-related variation in the trace element content in different types of tissues (Kierdorf et al 1989 ; Gasparik et al 2004 ; Bilandžić et al 2009 ; Rudy 2010 ; Garcia et al 2011 ; Jarzyńska and Falandysz 2011 ; Lanocha et al 2012 ).…”

Resistin as a Prooxidant Factor and Predictor of Endothelium Damage in Patients with Mild Acute Pancreatitis Exposed to Tobacco Smoke Xenobiotics

“…In our study, we examined the patients with AP in ages 26–76, who were more exposed to tobacco smoke xenobiotics than smokers of the control group as indicated by elevated cotinine concentration and 4-fold increase in Cd level. A 6-fold increase in Cd concentration observed in nonsmoking patients with AP compared to healthy nonsmokers can be a result of age-dependent Cd accumulation in organism from environment as other studies have reported [ 28 , 29 ]. Tobacco smoke components have the ability to induce a systemic inflammation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines [ 1 , 30 ].…”