ZAWARTOŚĆ SELENU W GONADACH SAMCÓW I SAMIC DZIKA EUROAZJATYCKIEGO (SUS SCROFA) Z WOJEWÓDZTWA MAZOWIECKIEGO

Abstract

Selenium is counted among the trace elements necessary to maintain metabolic processes occurring in the animal body, including reproductive processes. The aim of the study was to assess selenium content in testes and ovaries of wild boars (Sus scrofa) in an attempt to establish a range of reference values for individuals of this species. Selenium concentrations in tissues tested were determined using spectrofluorometric method after wet mineralization in HNO3 and HClO4 mixture. Based on the results, it was found that male wild boars accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Se than females. The average content of this element in the testes of wild boars was 0.32 mg · kg−1 while in the ovaries it was at the level of 0.14 mg · kg−1 wet weight. In addition, the gonads of males were characterized by a higher variability of the analyzed parameter in relation to samples obtained from female wild boars. The coefficient of variation in their case was almost 40.9, while the value of the coefficient of variation for selenium content in the parenchymal layer of the ovaries was 24.9. On the basis of statistical analysis, highly significant differences were found at p ≤ 0.01 according to the sex of the individuals studied. Despite the fact that samples were taken from individuals living in areas with selenium deficiencies due to the biogeochemical background, it should be considered that the supply of Se is optimal, which is evident in the population growth dynamics of individuals of this species in the study area.