Liver copper, selenium and vitamin B12 concentrations in farmed and feral red deer (Cervus elaphus).
OBJECTIVE
To compare liver copper, selenium and vitamin B12 concentrations in red deer of farmed and feral origin.


METHODS
Liver samples were collected from red deer at a South Island deer slaughter premise and a game packing house in November 2000. The site of origin and age of each animal were recorded. A subsample of 107 livers was selected (n=5-10 per site of origin and age category) from farmed deer from central Canterbury, Nelson and Westland, and from feral deer from north, central and south Westland. Samples were analysed for copper, selenium and vitamin B12 concentrations and reported on a wet-matter basis.


RESULTS
Mean liver copper concentrations for farmed and feral yearlings were 267 and 889 micromol/kg, respectively, and for farmed and feral adults were 206 and 677 micromol/kg, respectively. Liver copper concentrations were lower for farmed than for feral deer (p<0.001) and for feral adults than for feral yearlings (p=0.002). Mean liver selenium concentrations in farmed and feral yearlings were 2050 and 1539 nmol/kg, respectively, and in farmed and feral adults were 1938 and 1625 nmol/kg, respectively. Liver selenium concentrations varied significantly between regions and overall, farmed deer had higher liver selenium concentrations than feral deer (p=0.04). Mean liver vitamin B12 concentrations in farmed and feral yearlings were 456 and 742 nmol/kg, and for farmed and feral adults were 428 and 869 nmol/kg, respectively. Liver vitamin B12 concentrations were lower for farmed than for feral deer (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Feral deer had higher liver copper and vitamin B12 concentrations and lower liver selenium concentrations than farmed deer in the regions studied.
Tremain-Boon
S G
SG
Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Hart
J C A
JC
Wilson
P R
PR
Lopez-Villalobos
N
N