Adrian Frank

'Mysterious' moose disease in Sweden. Similarities to copper deficiency and/or molybdenosis in cattle and sheep. Biochemical background of clinical signs and organ lesions

The moose (Alces alces L.) in an acid rain affected region in south-west Sweden has developed a complex disease with numerous clinical signs, most of which are consistent with those of secondary copper (Cu) deficiency and/or molybdenosis in cattle and sheep. The clinical signs of the moose disease reported to date include diarrhoea, anorexia, emaciation, achromotrichia, alopecia, sudden heart failure and osteoporosis. Findings at necropsy included mucosal oedema, atrophied lymphoid tissues of the mucous membranes of the alimentary tract, neuropathy, neuronal degeneration and uni- or bilateral corneal opacity. In a study of clinically healthy animals from the affected region in Sweden over a 12-year period (1982-1994), the hepatic Cu concentration decreased by 50% and the liver and kidney cadmium (Cd) concentration decreased by 25-35%, while the molybdenum (Mo) concentration increased by 20-40%. These changes are probably related to an increase in the pH of the soil and water in the moose environment and a consequent change in the uptake of these elements by the plants consumed by the moose. It is noteworthy that the occurrence of the disease in the mid 1980s coincided with increased liming undertaken to counteract the noxious effects of acid rain in this region. Clinical signs and lesions of the moose disease resemble those reported for Cu deficiency and/or molybdenosis in cattle and sheep. To elucidate the complex, multi-faceted clinical signs of the moose disease, the clinical signs and necropsy findings are discussed in relation to the biochemical functions of certain well-known Cu-dependent enzymes, e.g. depigmentation of hair due to depressed tyrosinase activity, osteoporosis by depressed lysyl oxidase activity, sudden heart failure due to decreased activity of lysyl oxidase, cytochrome c oxidase and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase; in addition, mucosal lesions and ulcerations due to loss of activity of diamine oxidase as well as of lysyl oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase. It is concluded from the present findings that the moose disease is most probably a Cu deficiency and/or a molybdenosis-type syndrome.

IN SEARCH OF BIOMONITORS FOR CADMIUM: CADMIUM CONTENT OF WILD SWEDISH FAUNA DURING 1973-1976

Forty-five species of birds and 22 species of mammals of the terrestrial and aquatic fauna, herbivores as well as carnivores, were investigated during the period 1973-1976 for cadmium-accumulating properties in order to find biomonitors for cadmium in the Swedish environment. The herbivores of the terrestrial fauna, birds as well as mammals, are preferred to carnivores, since they demonstrate generally higher renal Cd levels. The moose (Alces alces), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and hare (Lepus europeus and Lepus timidus) were found to be suitable as biomonitors because of their common occurrence and uniform geographical distribution. The eider duck (Somateria mollissima), although a short-distance migrating bird whose diet is composed mainly of mussels and crustaceans, and which lives along a great part of the Swedish coastline, is suggested as a biomonitor of cadmium for the aquatic environment. The accumulation rate of cadmium in the kidneys is rapid. Renal levels of cadmium in the parts per million range are reached 10 weeks after hatching. Juvenile birds should be collected for monitoring purposes before leaving their feeding domains at the end of the summer.

Selection of operating conditions and analytical procedure in multi-metal analysis of animal tissues by d.c. plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy

Abstract In order to expand the analytical capacity and achieve better utilization of tissue materials (liver, kidney, etc.) so as to assess the degrees of environmental pollution, a method for simultaneous determination of 14 metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, W, and Zn) has been developed by applying d.c. plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. The analytical emission lines were chosen after considering the absence of more important interfering emission lines from elements present in the matrix, and taking into account their intensity, background, range of linearity and working range. At increasing ionic buffer concentration most metals seem to have a region of relatively little change in intensity. A 0.25 M LiNO 3 solution was chosen as ionic buffer. Optimization of plasma position to obtain maximum light intensity at each of the analytical wavelengths was studied with both single- and multi-element cassettes. The intention was to find a plasma position with satisfactory light intensity for all metals to be determined simultaneously. Spectral interferences, stray light effects included, from elements present in the matrix were investigated and linear relationships were usually found between the “false” signal contribution and the concentration of the interfering element. These signals were expressed as spectral interference correction coefficients (SICC values) on a concentration equivalent basis, viz. μ ml −1 per μ ml −1 . The effect of Ca on the analytical emission lines of Al, Pb, and W was not linear in contrast to the usual relationship. Organ tissues are prepared by automated wet digestion. Transfer of sample solution from the sample tray into the plasma is performed automatically. A microcomputer is used for evaluation of metal contents in the solutions, background correction by use of SICC values, and final calculation of metal concentrations in the tissues.

Lead fragments in tissues from wild birds: A cause of misleading analytical results

Seriously damaged eider ducks (Somateria mollissima) and long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) were shot in connection with an oil spill in 1974. Liver and kidney tissues were analyzed for environmental pollutants and lead analysis gave irreproducible results. By means of X-ray photographs, X-ray-dense particles could be observed in the tissues. The foreign particles were extracted by dissolution of the organ tissues in Soluene-350 (Packard Instruments Co. Inc) and then washed with toluene. The insoluble particles consisted of lead and bone splinters of varying size. The form of the former ranged from irregular fragments to dust, and arose by disruption of lead pellets upon collision with bone tissue. Birds shot with lead pellets should not be used for lead determination unless careful X-ray investigations are made prior to the chemical analysis. Determinations should be made on at least two different samples of the tissue examined.

Tapetum lucidum in the pigmented and albino ferret.

Light and electron microscopy showed that the tapetum lucidum in the pigmented ferret is morphologically indistinguishable from that in the albino ferret. The matrix of the rods of the tapetal cells was strongly osmiophilic, but glutaraldehyde fixation before osmium tetroxide treatment caused a dissolution of the matrix material. It has been proposed that the tapetal cells are modified melanocytes and that the tapetal rods are composed of melanin, but it can be concluded from our data that the matrix of the tapetal rods is not melanin. Further studies by plasma-atomic emission spectrometry showed that the tapetal cells are very rich in zinc, with similar levels in pigmented and albino ferrets. Excessive concentrations of other metals were not observed. Histochemical demonstration of heavy metal showed that the zinc is present in the tapetal rods and indicated a localization mainly in the rod membranes.

Multivariate data analysis as a tool for evaluating emission intensity, background equivalent concentration and detection limit obtained for different plasma positions in direct current plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract Relative emission intensity, background emission concentration (BEC) and detection limit (DL) obtained for different analytes and different plasma positions are examples of multivariate data sets. The observations can be related to the emission distribution in the plasma for the different elements (the spatial profiles). Principal component analysis (PCA) as a tool for modelling, interpretation and visualisation of such data sets was applied (i) to elucidate the data structure caused by the profiles, (ii) to enhance structural information using replicate or similar data sets, (iii) to predict model results that are less prone to errors and random variations, and (iv) to compare data sets of different origin (e.g. directly observed results with those calculated from the profiles). The selection of a suitable optimisation element can be guided by visual procedures or rather simple calculations based on the PCA model.

Autoradiography in mice of tritiated 2-(2-Furyl)benzimidazole and melanin-binding in vitro

The distribution of tritiated 2-(2-furyl)benzimidazole ([3H]FB) in male and pregnant albino mice and male pigmented mice was studied by whole-body autoradiography. The most notable finding was the accumulation of radioactivity in the melanin-containing tissues of the eye, the inner ear and the hair follicles. An additional study in vitro on isolated bovine-eye melanin showed a substantial binding of [3H]FB to the melanin. The general distribution was characterized by a rapid excretion pattern, except for uptake in the thyroid and nasal mucosa. Transfer to fetuses was significant and the fetal distribution was dominated by excretion.