Chemical composition of the red deer (Cervus elaphus) antlers, with a particular reference to the toxic metal contents

Abstract

Antler histology is almost identical with that of bones. It is therefore expected that antlers should be almost identical in their chemical composition to skeletal bones, particularly that, at nutritive deficiency during antler formation, components are drawn from bones to be temporarily incorporated into the antlers. Antler samples were collected from 14 red deer individuals shot during the 2000/2001 hunting season and were analysed for chemical composition. The dry-weight-bascd contents (mg/kg) of Ca, Na, Mg, S, K, and F were approximately 82040; 5791; 3637; 535; 575; and 89, respectively. In addition, contents of trace (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Co) and heavy (Pb, Hg, Cd) metals were determined to find out if the red deer antlers can serve as indicators of ambient heavy metal pollution. The knowledge on chemical composition of the red deer antlers may be useful in comparative studies on materials collected from various areas of Poland. Such data will make it possible to ascertain whether qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the antler chemical composition are determined by genetic variables alone, or if environmental factors, e.g., food, are important as well.