Age-dependent changes in essential elements and oxidative stress biomarkers in blood of red deer and vulnerability to nutritional deficiencies

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2018-06, Vol.626, p.340-348
• Main Authors: Pareja-Carrera, Jennifer, Rodríguez-Estival, Jaime, Martinez-Haro, Mónica, Ortiz, José A., Mateo, Rafael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Animals; Antioxidants; Biomarkers - metabolism; Deer - physiology; Environmental Monitoring; Enzootic ataxia; Female; Malnutrition; Oxidative Stress; Ruminants; Trace metals; White-muscle disease
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.072

Changes in the concentration of circulating essential elements in animals over life may be indicative of periods of vulnerability to deficiencies and associated diseases. Here we studied age-related variations in essential elements (Se, Cu, Zn and Mn) and some selected oxidative stress biomarkers (GPx, SOD, vitamin A and vitamin E) in blood of an Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) population living in semicaptive conditions. Animals during their first year of life showed to be especially vulnerable to suffer Se- and Cu-related diseases and disorders. Older female deer had lower blood levels of Zn and Mn, which was accompanied by a lower blood SOD activity. On the contrary, GPx blood activity was elevated in older deer, which may help to compensate the reduction of other antioxidants with during aging. Age-related changes in GPx and SOD and their positive relationships with the essential elements suggest that the observed nutritional deficiencies at certain age stages may have a detrimental effect on the antioxidant system, increasing the risk of oxidative stress. Thus, the biomarkers used in the present study may be important tools for the subclinical diagnosis of nutritional disorders and diseases related to the generation of oxidative stress in both domestic and wild ungulates. [Display omitted] •Age-related changes in trace metals and antioxidants are studied in red deer.•Deer in their first year of life were especially vulnerable to suffer Cu and Se deficiencies.•Aging reduced blood Zn, Mn and SOD levels in female deer.•Blood GPx increase in older deer may counteract the decline of other antioxidant mechanisms.•GPx and SOD may be useful tools for the diagnosis of trace element disorders in ungulates.