Review Article Open Access

Accumulation of Zinc, Copper, Cadmium and Lead in Liver and kidney of the Iberian Hare (Lepus granatensis) from Spain

Abstract

Knowledge of trace and toxic metal concentrations in wild animals is important for assessing the effects of contaminants in wild animal’s health and also contaminant intakes by humans. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in liver and kidney of Iberian hares in relation with the origin region, sex and age were investigated. Over a period of two years 65 hares, 30 males and 35 females were analyzed. For the trace elements, mean zinc levels ranged from 18.52 to 21.82 mg/kg wet tissue in kidney and 23.32 to 25.02 mg/kg wet tissue in liver. The corresponding mean copper concentrations ranged from 2.42 to 2.72 mg/kg wet tissue and from 2.94 to 3.08 mg/kg wet tissue in kidney and liver, respectively. For the toxic elements, mean cadmium levels ranged from 0.35 to 0.76 mg/kg wet tissue in kidney and 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg wet tissue in liver. The corresponding mean lead concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 0.10 mg/ kg wet tissue and from 0.08 to 0.23 mg/kg wet tissue in kidney and liver, respectively.

Le Fidalgo, B de La Cruz, A Goicoa, and L Espino

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