Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso KW14 7JD, UK.
UHI Rural Studies Centre, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Dale Farm, Halkirk KW12 6UW, UK.
Sci Total Environ. 2017 Dec 1;601-602:1606-1618. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.210. Epub 2017 Jun 10.
Tissue concentrations of essential trace and toxic elements in red deer (Cervus elaphus) are associated with the plants, soil and water they ingest. As such, variation in tissue concentrations is associated with variation in local geochemistry and bioavailability of elements. Physiological factors such as liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection, breeding status, and in-tissue element interactions may also affect tissue concentrations, though their effects in red deer are not well understood. The primary objective of this study was therefore to survey wild red deer liver element concentrations across a range of geographically distinct populations during the Scottish red deer stalking season; and, in so doing, establishes element reference ranges while also exploring geographic and temporal variation and physiological factors. Livers were sampled from carcasses intended for human consumption on nine hunting estates during two seasons (2012-13, 2013-14). Samples were digested and analysed by ICP-OES for essential trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn) and for Cd. Data (n=787) were modelled against cull location, date, and F. hepatica diagnosis. Interactions between elements within liver, and differences in element profiles between estates, were explored by principal component analysis. Our results revealed marked geographic variation in Cd, Cu and Se, where up to four-fold differences in median element concentrations occurred between estates, and, in males, Mn, Mo and Zn declined as the breeding season approached. In both sexes, within-liver associations (Cd-Cu-Se and Mn-Mo-Zn) were found. In females, liver Zn was greater on average in individuals that were not infected with F. hepatica. This study is the first to quantify geographic variation in Scottish red deer liver element concentrations; the drivers of which remain to be explored (and may be management related), and, the consequence of which may affect sub-clinical health.
组织中痕量和有毒元素的浓度与鹿类摄取的植物、土壤和水有关。因此，组织浓度的变化与局部地球化学和元素的生物利用度的变化有关。生理因素，如肝片吸虫（Fasciola hepatica）感染、繁殖状态以及组织内元素的相互作用也可能影响组织浓度，但在红鹿中，这些因素的影响尚未得到很好的理解。因此，本研究的主要目的是在苏格兰红鹿狩猎季节内，调查一系列地理上不同的种群中野生红鹿肝脏元素浓度；并在此过程中建立元素参考范围，同时探索地理和时间变化以及生理因素。在两个季节（2012-13 年，2013-14 年），从九处狩猎庄园的供人类食用的鹿尸中采集肝脏样本。样品通过 ICP-OES 进行消解和分析，用于测定痕量必需元素（Co、Cu、Fe、Mn、Mo、Se、Zn）和 Cd。数据（n=787）针对捕杀地点、日期和 F. hepatica 诊断进行建模。通过主成分分析探讨了肝脏内元素之间的相互作用以及庄园之间元素谱的差异。研究结果显示，Cd、Cu 和 Se 存在明显的地理变异，庄园之间的中位数元素浓度差异高达四倍，而且在雄性中，随着繁殖季节的临近，Mn、Mo 和 Zn 减少。在两性中，都发现了肝脏内的关联（Cd-Cu-Se 和 Mn-Mo-Zn）。在雌性中，未感染 F. hepatica 的个体肝脏 Zn 平均更高。本研究首次量化了苏格兰红鹿肝脏元素浓度的地理变异；其驱动因素仍有待探讨（可能与管理有关），而其后果可能会影响亚临床健康。
