Relationships between the Content of Micro- and Macroelements in Animal Samples and Diseases of Different Etiologies

Abstract

Many of the micro- and macro-elements (MMEs) required by the body are found in environmental objects in concentrations different from their original concentration that can lead to dangerous animal diseases (“microelementoses”). The aim was to study the features of MME (accumulating in wild and exotic animals) in connection with particular diseases. The work using 67 mammal species from four Russian zoological institutions was completed in 2022. Studies of 820 cleaned and defatted samples (hair, fur, etc.) after “wet-acid-ashing” on an electric stove and in a muffle furnace were performed using a Kvant-2A atomic absorption spectrometer. The content of zinc, copper, iron, cadmium, lead, and arsenic was assessed. The level of MME accumulation in the animal body contributes not only to the MME status and the development of various concomitant diseases, but the condition itself can occur by intake of a number of micronutrients and/or drugs. Particular correlations between the accumulation of Zn and skin, oncological diseases, Cu—musculoskeletal, cardiovascular diseases, Fe—oncological diseases, Pb—metabolic, nervous, oncological diseases, and Cd—cardiovascular diseases were established. Therefore, monitoring of the MME status of the organism must be carried out regularly (optimally once every 6 months).

Keywords

• animal health and diseases
• essential and toxic microelements
• classes of diseases
• general morbidity of animals
• atomic absorption spectrometry