Abstract
Minerals were determined in the livers of 69 fallow deer, which were shot during routine culls in Slovenian enclosures, in the winter of 2001/2002. Analysis of minerals and trace elements was done by atomic absorption spectroscopy and analysis of phosphorus was done by spectrophotometry. Mean values recorded for liver were 0.11±0.07 g/kg for calcium, 6.38±1.10 g/kg for phosphorus, 0.65±0.24 g/kg for sodium, 1.91±0.66 g/kg for potassium, 0.14±0.03 g/kg for magnesium, 31.0±21.9 mg/kg for copper, 31.3±10.8 mg/kg for zinc, 3.8±1.7 mg/kg for manganese, and 141±65 mg/kg for iron. Lead was present in high concentrations in the liver of almost all animals (1.48±0.92 mg/kg), while cadmium occurred in relatively low concentrations (0.27±0.14 mg/kg). There were significant differences in liver sodium, copper and iron concentrations between sexes and significant differences in liver phosphorus concentration between old and young animals.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the administrators of enclosures for allowing the collection of samples. We are also grateful to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport for having financed this research and to the staff at the Veterinary Faculty who helped to complete this study.
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Vengušt, G., Vengušt, A. Some minerals as well as trace and toxic elements in livers of fallow deer (Dama dama) in Slovenia. Eur J Wildl Res 50, 59–61 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-004-0038-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-004-0038-z