Jozef Gašparík

Concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in leg skeletal muscles of three species of wild birds

The aim of this study was to monitor accumulation of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in leg skeletal muscle of some wild birds from selected areas of Slovakia and the correlations among the heavy metals. A total of 160 wild birds representing 3 species—Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) (n = 24), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (n = 68) and pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (n = 68) were involved for analyses. Concentrations of heavy metals from samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Metal concentrations are expressed as mg/kg wet weight. The order of lead and arsenic concentrations in muscles of wild birds were as follows: mallard > pheasant > Eurasian coot; in the case of arsenic the differences were significant (P < 0.05). Muscle of Eurasian coot accumulated the highest concentration of cadmium and mercury followed by pheasant and the lowest in mallard, but differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Moderately negative correlations were noted in pheasant between cadmium and mercury (r = −0.39), and between mercury and arsenic (r = −0.45). Moderately negative correlation between cadmium and arsenic (r = −0.31) was found for Eurasian coot.

Distribution of cadmium and lead in liver and kidney of some wild animals in Slovakia

Abstract The content of cadmium and lead, as risk factors of environment, in liver and kidneys of wild animals as brown hare (Lepus europaeus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), wood mouse (Cleithrionomys glareolus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) were studied. Samples were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (AAS). The highest levels of cadmium were found in kidneys (0.213–2.387 mg/kg) of all animal species. The concentration of cadmium in liver was 0.032–0.258 mg/kg. The analysis of lead showed that the concentration of this element was higher in kidneys of yellow-necked mouse and wood mouse (0.503–0.780 mg/kg) than in liver (0.177–0.268 mg/kg). In brown hare and red deer a higher accumulation of lead in liver (0.221–1.904 mg/kg) in comparison with kidneys (0.115–0.561 mg/kg) is reported.

CONCENTRATION OF SELECTED METALS IN LIVER, KIDNEY AND MUSCLE OF THE RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS)

Abstract Concentration of cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, copper, and manganese in liver, kidney, and muscle of red deer was investigated. For analysis of the content of these trace elements an AAS method was used. The concentration of cadmium was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in kidney in comparison with liver and muscle. The level of lead was the highest in muscle (p < 0.05). Lower values were detected in liver and in kidney. The concentration of chromium was very similar in all studied tissues. A higher concentration of zinc was found in muscle, followed by kidney and liver. The level of copper was significanlty higher in liver (p < 0.05), and lower in kidneys and muscle. In evaluation of the concentration of manganese in red deer, the highest concentration of this element in liver was detected.

Muscle fat composition of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and black coots (Fulica atra)

The aim of this investigation was to characterise the fatty acid composition within intramuscular fat (IMF) of two muscles (breast and thigh) from 28 pheasants, ten wild ducks and 27 black coots from Slovakia. A high variability for all single fatty acids (FA) and the total fat concentration in muscles of wild birds was identified. Black coots deposited the highest fat in breast muscle whereas wild ducks and pheasants accumulated more lipids in thigh muscle. In general, the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the IMF in wild bird muscles was high, and the saturated FA concentration was lower compared with muscles of domestic farm animals. The ratio between PUFA and saturated fatty acids (PSQ) ranked between 0.6 and 1.2, and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acid was favourably low in black coot and wild pheasants (3.2 and 2.9, respectively). Farmed pheasants had increased IMF and more saturated and n-6 fatty acids deposited in thigh muscle but not in breast muscle.

Concentration of cadmium, mercury, zinc, copper and cobalt in the tissues of wild boar (Sus scrofa) hunted in the western Slovakia

The aim of this study was to monitor accumulation of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) in the muscle, liver and kidney of wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) from hunting place of western Slovakia and the correlations among the observed elements. A total of 120 samples were involved for analyses by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The significantly highest accumulation of Cd in the kidney followed by the liver and muscles was found. Zn accumulated mainly in the liver. Significantly lower values were found in the kidney followed by the muscle. The concentration of Cu was significantly lowest in the muscle when compared to the liver and kidney. Hg and Co accumulated mainly in the kidney, followed by the liver and muscle of wild boars, but without significant differences. In the muscle of wild boar moderately positive correlation between Zn and Cu (r = 0.59), Cd and Co (r = 0.51), Cu and Co (r = 0.33), and Zn and Hg (r = 0.36) were found. In the liver moderately positive correlation between Cd and Hg (r = 0.39) was detected. Moderately positive correlation between Zn and Cu (r = 0.40) was noted for the kidney.

Distribution of lead in selected organs and its effect on reproduction parameters of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) after an experimental per oral administration

Lead poisoning has been reported in almost every country on earth. In this study the effect of experimental lead pellet intake (2–6 pellets per week [groups B2, B4, B6] and ad libitum [BAD] accessibility for 10 weeks) on its distribution in liver, kidney, pectoral muscle, ovary, eggs and the effect of selected reproductive parameters (egg weight, fertilization, hatchability) was analyzed in breeding pheasants. Lead pellets were force fed to the digestive tract (struma, ingluvies) and the ingestion was controlled. Concentration of lead was detected using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Analysis of the lead concentration in liver showed a significantly higher concentration in all group after the lead pellets intake. The increase of the lead concentration was dose–dependent and the concentration detected in group BAD was similar as in group B2. Very similar tendencies were detected for the lead concentration in kidney. The accumulation of lead in pectoral muscle was lower, in comparison with liver and kidney. Compared to lead concentration detected in ovary of the control group a significant increase was detected in all experimental groups, reaching the maximum in the group B6. Similar significant increase of lead concentration was detected in eggs. The average weight of eggs was 32.01 ± 2.71 g in the control group and lower in all experimental groups, but this decrease was significant only in the group B6. The fertilization rate was the highest in the control group and a dose–dependent decrease was detected with the lowest value in the group B6. For egg hatching ratio a significant decrease was detected in groups B4 and B6. Results of this study clearly describe accumulation of lead in the body and a its negative effect on the reproductive parameters. In the ad libitum experimental group the most similar results were found as in group B2, suggesting a rate of “natural” lead pellet intake.

Comparison of basic nutritive components of venison in selected species of hoofed game

The aim of this experiment was to obtain the differences in protein, moisture and fat content in venison (Mucsulus semimembranosus) of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and wild boar (Sus scrofa L). The monitoring of wild boar and roe deer was realized from 16 May 2016 to 16 June 2016 in red deer region JXXVIII Tribec (Western Slovakia, Tribec mountain). Analysis of basic nutritive components of venison were determined with FoodScan LAB Analyzer (FOSS, Denmark). The obtained average values of experimental traits were as follows: wild boar – 23.33%, roe deer – 21.55% in protein, respectively 2.46% and 1.8% in fat. The difference in fat content shows significant importance. Moisture was not statistically significant (average: wild boar – 73.2%, roe deer – 72.9%).

The occurrence and dynamics of polychlorinated hydrocarbons in brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in south-western Slovakia

This study aimed at obtaining the data on the occurrence, levels and correlations of organic pollutants present in game animals (n = 75, Brown hare, Lepus europaeus Pall.) in the region of south-western Slovakia. The analyses performed included dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorobenzen (HCB), alpha- and beta hexachlorocyclohexane (α+β-HCH), gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-delor, commercial mixture of PCB congeners). A gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector was used for the analysis. PCB-delor and DDT were accumulated significantly in the highest level (0.105±0.059 mg/kg; 0.070 mg/kg) in depot fat in brown hares; however maximum permissible limits for the observed pollutants were not exceeded. Significantly higher concentrations of DDT, HCB, γ-HCH, and PCB-delor were found in adult animals when compared with juvenile hares. Gender and season had no effect on the accumulation of observed pollutants. Moderately positive correlation was found between PCB-delor and DDT (r = 0.59). Monitoring of environmental pollution with polychlorinated hydrocarbons is important with regard to public health, as game animals constitute an important part of food chain also for humans.