Toxic and essential metal concentrations in four tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Baranja, Croatia

Kidney (n  = 297), liver (n  = 52), jawbone (n  = 80) and muscle (n  = 48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002-05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.     

Toxic and essential metal concentrations in four tissues of red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) from Baranja,Croatia

Kidney (n =?297), liver (n =?52), jawbone (n =?80) and muscle (n =?48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002–05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.     

Fatty acids of meat lipids from young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Fatty acids of the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions of muscle fat from young male red deer (Cervus elaphus) from three nutritional environments are reported. In both the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions differences in fatty acid patterns were observed between the three groups of deer which appear to reflect their diet.     

Cholesterol concentration and fatty acid profile of red deer (Cervus elaphus) meat

The effects of gender and age on intramuscular fat (IMF) levels, cholesterol concentration, and fatty acid composition were investigated in the semitendinosus (ST) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles of feral red deer (Cervus elaphus). Six stags of >2years of age, four hinds of 1year, and six calves of 6months were shot in Slovenia. Generally, all parameters measured were influenced by interaction of muscle and treatment group (hinds, stags and calves) at the 5% level or less. In ST muscle, the IMF levels were highest for hinds. In the TB muscle, cholesterol was lower for stags than for hinds and calves. The saturated fatty acids were the highest for stags and the mono-unsaturated fatty acids for hinds. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the highest for calves and lowest for hinds. The n-3 PUFAs were the lowest for hinds. In both muscles, the calves had higher n-6 PUFAs than stags and hinds. Only the ST muscle of the hinds contained >1% (1.44%) of the conjugated linoleic acid isomer 18:2cis-9,trans-11, while in the TB of hinds and calves this fatty acid was higher than with stags. We conclude that gender and age of feral red deer influence the IMF content, the cholesterol concentration, and the fatty acid composition of the meat.     

Seasonal and lactational changes in mineral composition of milk from Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Milk minerals are important for calf growth, and they have other roles as well, such as immune regulation. This 2-yr study examined content of Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, and Zn in milk of 54 Iberian red deer hinds through 18 wk of lactation. Mean mineral composition of fresh milk was ash = 1.168 ± 0.007%, Ca = 2,330 ± 20 mg/kg, P = 640 ± 10 mg/kg, K = 1,100 ± 10 mg/kg, Na = 385 ± 3 mg/kg, Mg = 138 ± 1 mg/kg, Zn = 12.5 ± 0.2 mg/kg, and Fe = 0.65 ± 0.03 mg/kg. All minerals except Mg varied by week of lactation, but variation was usually <10% except for Fe (83% variation) and Zn (30% variation); both of those minerals increased as lactation proceeded. Increased concentrations of Fe and Zn in later lactation compensated for the reduction in milk production in mid and late lactation such that daily production was less variable for Fe (55% variation) or Zn (79% variation) than for other minerals (118 to 135% variation). Potassium content of milk decreased across time, but that effect occurred primarily during the last few weeks of lactation. Calving later vs. early in the calving season had variable effects on concentrations of different minerals: P, Mg, and K concentrations were not affected; Ca, Mg, and Na were all lower in milk from later calving hinds; and both Fe and Zn had higher concentrations in milk from hinds that calved later in the season. Lactating hinds seem to maintain a more stable daily yield of the microminerals Fe and Zn in milk compared with more variable concentrations of macrominerals as lactation progresses. Because of the essential role of Fe and Zn in immune function, a more stable supply of those minerals might be important to the health of growing red deer calves.     

Nutritional evaluation of the lipid fraction of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) tenderloin

The meat lipid fraction of psoas major muscle from 20 adult (10 males and 10 females) feral Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) was characterized by quantification of total fat, total cholesterol, vitamin E and fatty acid (FA) composition, including detailed trans octadecenoate isomers and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile.The total lipid content revealed a very lean meat (0.99 g/100 g of meat), with total cholesterol content averaging 55.6 mg/100 g of muscle. The FA profile displayed a very high PUFA level for ruminant meat (30.2 g/100 g FA). The 18:2 cis-9,trans-11 content was fairly low (0.26% of total FA) compared with other ruminant meats.The comparison of stags and hinds showed more similarities than differences. Nevertheless, hinds displayed superior contents of α-tocopherol and trans MUFA and a better n−6/n−3 ratio than stags.     

Nutritional evaluation of the lipid fraction of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) tenderloin

The meat lipid fraction of psoas major muscle from 20 adult (10 males and 10 females) feral Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) was characterized by quantification of total fat, total cholesterol, vitamin E and fatty acid (FA) composition, including detailed trans octadecenoate isomers and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile. The total lipid content revealed a very lean meat (0.99g/100g of meat), with total cholesterol content averaging 55.6mg/100g of muscle. The FA profile displayed a very high PUFA level for ruminant meat (30.2g/100g FA). The 18:2 cis-9,trans-11 content was fairly low (0.26% of total FA) compared with other ruminant meats. The comparison of stags and hinds showed more similarities than differences. Nevertheless, hinds displayed superior contents of α-tocopherol and trans MUFA and a better n-6/n-3 ratio than stags.     

Effects of birth date and order in lactation performance of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

This study discriminated between 2 effects (birth date and presence of older calves) assessed jointly in previous studies. Birth date delay produced similar effects to those reported previously: reduced milk and milk nutrient production in late-calving hinds, concentration of milk, substitution of protein by fat, greater body weight losses of dams (hinds), and reduced calf growth. Hinds in a group consisting of early- and late-born calves produced more milk, and calves grew more than their isolated counterparts. Evidence exists for consequences of foster suckling by early-born calves in mixed groups of early- and late-born calves at the end of the standard birth period, because these calves grew more than predicted by the milk production of their dams. In contrast, no detrimental effect was found in late-born calves of this group. Lack of differences might be due to the excess of hind milk production during the first 5 wk of lactation previously recorded in other experiments.     

Determination of mitochondrial cytochrome B gene sequence for red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the differentiation of closely related deer meats

The cytochrome b gene sequence for red deer was determined using the Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing method and used for identification of deer meat in meat and meat products. Red deer showed a similarity of 94.1, 84.0, 81.1, 85.5 and 85.6% to sika deer (Cervus nippon), bovine, pigs, sheep and goats, respectively. To differentiate the deer meat, oligonucleotide primers RD-1(5′-TCATCGCAGCACTCGCTATAGTACACT-3′), RD-2(5′-ATCTCCAAGTAGGTCTGGTGCGAATAA-3′) were designed for the region of the cytochrome b gene of red deer. The PCR amplified 194 bp fragments from red and sika deer, but no fragments from bovine, pig, chicken, sheep, goat, horse and rabbit DNA. Although cooking the meats reduced the PCR products, red deer could still be detected in meat heated at 120 °C. To discriminate between red and sika deer, these PCR products were digested by a restriction enzyme (EcoRI,BamHI,ScaI) and analyzed by 4% agorose gel electrophoresis. As a result, the red deer fragment was digested by EcoRI to 67/127 bp fragments but not by BamHI and ScaI. The sika deer fragment was digested to 48/146 bp and 49/145 bp fragments with the two other enzymes, and thus it is possible to differentiate between the two kinds of deer from the digestion pattern of restriction enzymes.     

Fatty acid profile of meat (Longissimus lumborum) from female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.)

The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat (IMF) in female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) living in the wild. The experimental materials comprised samples of the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle collected from 20 carcasses of does aged 3–5 years and 15 carcasses of hinds aged 4–6 years. All animals were hunter-harvested in the forests of North-Eastern Poland. The IMF of does had considerably higher concentrations of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, it was characterized by more desirable values of quality parameters, and provided more health benefits. The observed differences in the fatty acid composition of IMF between does and hinds are important in view of both the nutritional value of meat and its susceptibility to lipid oxidation and rancidification.     

Real-time PCR for detection and quantification of red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in meat mixtures

A rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using SYBR Green detection system, has been developed for the quantification of red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer DNAs in meat mixtures. The method combines the use of cervid-specific primers that amplify a 134, 169, and 120 bp of the 12S rRNA gene fragment of red deer, fallow deer and roe deer, respectively, and universal primers that amplify a 140 bp fragment on the nuclear 18S rRNA gene from eukaryotic DNA. The C_t (threshold cycle) values obtained with the 18S rRNA primers are used to normalize those obtained from each of the cervid-specific systems, serving as endogenous control for the total content of PCR-amplifiable DNA in the sample. Analysis of experimental raw and heat treated binary mixtures of red deer, fallow deer or roe deer meat in a swine meat matrix demonstrated the suitability of the assay for the detection and quantification of the target cervid DNAs in the range 0.1–0.8%, depending on the species and treatment of the meat samples analyzed.     

Identification of meats from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) using polymerase chain reaction targeting specific sequences from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on oligonucleotide primers targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was applied to the specific identification of meats from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The use of a common reverse primer, together with forward specific primers for red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer, allowed the selective amplification of the desired cervid sequences. The specificity of each primer pair was verified by PCR analysis of DNA from various game and domestic meats. The assay can be useful for the accurate identification of meats from cervid species, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat products.     

A comparison of biochemical and meat quality variables in red deer (Cervus elaphus) following either slaughter at pasture or killing at a deer slaughter plant

To investigate effects of pre-slaughter handling on blood and muscle biochemistry and venison quality, paddock-shot (n=8) and commercially slaughtered red deer (n=8) were compared. The deer were kept in two larger groups. One stag per group per day was head-shot, exsanguinated, electrically stimulated then transported 150 m to a deer slaughter premises (DSP) for processing. Prior to each slaughter day one of the groups was mustered into a deer yards and six (including two experimental) deer were selected for commercial handling and processing (including electrical stimulation) at the same DSP. Blood samples taken during exsanguination showed higher levels of cortisol, progesterone, glucose, lactate, albumin, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and packed cell volume in the DSP-killed deer compared with the paddock-shot deer (P<0.05). Interpretation of these values indicated that pre-slaughter handling created moderate stress and high levels of muscular exertion or damage, possibly related to antagonism during lairage. However muscle glycogen, pH and meat quality measurements showed only minor, muscle-specific differences between treatments.     

Studies on the physicochemical characteristics of the New Zealand deer’s tail,Cervus elaphus var. scoticus (III)

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study was designed to determine the nutritional profile and functional components of the NZT (New Zealand deer’s tail, Cervus elaphus var. scoticus...     

Effects of feeding regimen and chilled storage on water‐holding capacity,colour stability,pigment content and oxidation in red deer (Cervus elaphus) meat

The effects of feeding regimen on carcass characteristics, meat colour and lipid stability, pigment content and water‐holding capacity of M. longissimus were studied in 16 male red deer. All animals were farm raised; eight were grazing pasture and eight were fed a pelleted commercial feed mixture for 10 weeks prior to slaughter. The pellet‐fed deer had significantly higher live weight, carcass weight, dressing yield (g kg^?1) and fat content than the pasture group. Carcasses from the pellet‐fed deer had higher temperatures over 0–10 h post mortem than carcasses from the grazing animals, probably due to an insulating fat cover. Ultimate pH values were lowest in meat from the pellet‐fed deer. The meat from the grazing deer had significantly better colour stability at 1 day post‐slaughter and after 1, 3 and 6 weeks of refrigerated storage (?1.5 °C) in vacuum bags. After 3, 6 and 12 weeks of refrigerated storage the meat from the pellet‐fed deer had significantly higher drip loss. No difference was found in the amount of oxidation products (thiobarbituric reactive substances, TBARS) when comparing the treatment groups, although the amount of TBARS increased during storage. Muscle pigment content was significantly higher in grazing deer than in the pellet‐fed group. It was not possible to confirm a correlation between lipid and pigment oxidation in the meat, and the pigment content of the meat samples did not seem to have an influence on colour stability or oxidation product formation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of supplementing red deer (Cervus elaphus) with different forms of ascorbic acid upon the concentration of ascorbic acid in rumen fluid and blood plasma

Two indoor experiments were conducted at the Massey University Deer Research Unit to study whether the blood plasma ascorbic acid (AA) concentration in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) could be raised, using a single large intraruminal administration of AA (2.7 g kg^?1 live weight) prior to a simulated slaughter situation. Deer fistulated in the rumen were individually fed chaffed lucerne hay ad libitum at 30 min intervals; feed was then withdrawn 8 h before AA was administered, and fasting continued during the period of rumen fluid and blood sampling (30 h of fasting in total). Blood (jugular vein) and rumen fluid samples were taken 15 min before and at various intervals after dosing with AA. Rumen fluid pH values were also recorded. In Experiment 1 the effects of administration of pure ascorbic acid (AA), ethyl cellulose‐coated ascorbic acid (EC) and silicone‐coated ascorbic acid (SC) were compared. All three types increased rumen fluid and blood plasma AA concentrations to a desirable level (500 µg ml^?1 blood plasma or greater), with the maximum concentrations in both sites occurring 1 h after administration. The area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC), the area under the curve corrected for baseline concentration (AUCB) and the maximum concentration (MAX) of AA in both rumen fluid and blood plasma were not significantly different among the three formulations of AA, indicating that all three were degraded at similar rates in the rumen and that their bioavailabilities were similar. Rumen pH decreased from approximately 7.0 to 5.0 within 1 h of administering each compound, increased to 6.0 after 4 h and then progressively increased to approximately 7.0 after 22 h. Experiment 2 was conducted to investigate the rumen‐buffering effect after dosing with AA with and without added sodium bicarbonate. Including NaHCO₃ increased rumen pH by approximately 1 unit during the first hour after dosing and by 0.7–0.4 units thereafter. AUC and AUCB for rumen fluid were significantly lower for the AA + NaHCO₃ group of deer than for the AA group (p < 0.05), indicating that increasing rumen pH increased the rate of ruminal destruction of AA. AUC, AUCB and MAX of AA in blood plasma were not statistically different between the two treatments (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the single large intraruminal AA dose technique could be used to consistently increase AUC, AUCB and MAX of AA in both rumen fluid and blood plasma. Methods for improving the efficiency of the technique are discussed. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of age and environment on antler traits in Spanish red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Summary We measured antlers of 484 red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) aged between 1.5 and 13.5 years, from Sierra Morena (Southeast Spain) between 1992 and 1998. We determined the effect of year of birth, season of hunting, age group and farm size on the number of tips, the length, the width and the quality of the antlers. The number of harvested animals, an indicator of population density, was included as a covariable. Highest antler quality is obtained in animals at least seven years old. The lowest quality animals were obtained during the hunting season from October 1995 to February 1996, which coincided with the end of an extended period of drought. The best trophies were harvested during the 1996–1997 season, the period of highest rainfall during the study. Thus environmental conditions have a major influence on antler size. However, animal density had a strong negative effect on certain types of farms, emphasizing the importance of population management.