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Analysis of Annual Changes in the Concentrations of Selected Macro- and Microelements, Thyroxine, and Testosterone in the Serum of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Stags

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze seasonal changes in the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium as well as thyroxine and testosterone in adult red deer stags. The highest testosterone concentrations (mean 6.29 ± 4.36 ng/ml) were observed from the end of August to November, confirming an increase in testicular secretory activity during the mating season. The changes in thyroxine concentration show circannual rhythms, most likely related to changes in the air temperature. The highest mean level of thyroxine was observed in spring (55.69 ± 10.99 ng/ml). The concentration of selenium also reached the highest level during this season (0.107 ± 0.027 μg/ml). In the case of the studied macroelements, the concentrations were stable from spring to summer but then decreased to the lowest mean values in autumn in both years of the experiment (Ca, 61.17 ± 10.60; P, 47.08 ± 9.59; Mg, 15.96 ± 2.39 μg/ml). The dynamics of thyroxine secretion does not seem to affect directly the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. In turn, sexual activity, manifested in the increase in secretion of testosterone, may affect changes in the concentration of calcium. Additionally, we cannot exclude a connection between changes in the concentrations of testosterone and selenium.

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Compliance with Ethical Standards

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Ethical Standards

The experiment was approved by the local Ethical Committee at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin (agreement: 29/2012).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The study was performed within the statutory research and no external institutions were involved in funding of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Dr. Judyma 6, 71-466, Szczecin, Poland

    J. Kuba, B. Błaszczyk, T. Stankiewicz, A. Skuratko & J. Udała

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  1. J. Kuba
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  2. B. Błaszczyk
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  3. T. Stankiewicz
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  4. A. Skuratko
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  5. J. Udała
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Correspondence to J. Kuba.

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Kuba, J., Błaszczyk, B., Stankiewicz, T. et al. Analysis of Annual Changes in the Concentrations of Selected Macro- and Microelements, Thyroxine, and Testosterone in the Serum of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Stags. Biol Trace Elem Res 168, 356–361 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0368-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0368-6

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