Toxic and essential metal concentrations in four tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Baranja, Croatia

Abstract

Kidney (n  = 297), liver (n  = 52), jawbone (n  = 80) and muscle (n  = 48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002–05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.

Keywords:

• Red deer
• toxic metal
• essential element
• kidney
• liver
• bone
• muscle
• accumulation

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mrs Đurđa Breški and Marija Ciganović for their skilful laboratory assistance; and the hunters who helped with the collection of deer tissues. The authors also thank Dr Z. Kljaković-Gašpić and Professor Dr K. Kostial for comments on the manuscript; and D. Petričević for creating Figure 1. The financial support of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia is greatly appreciated.