Evaluating the use of hair as a non-invasive indicator of trace mineral status in woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

Qiviut Trace and Macro Element Profile Reflects Muskox Population Trends

Understanding the drivers influencing ungulate population dynamics is crucial for developing conservation and management strategies to support wildlife health. Trace and macro elements are vital for ungulate growth, reproduction and survival. Thus, the trajectory of wildlife populations may be associated with element imbalances. Element concentrations can be measured in hair, an increasingly recognised bio-monitoring tool. However, a better understanding of the relevance for wild ungulate population dynamics is needed. This study aimed to assess if element profiles in hair reflected the population trajectory of a keystone Arctic ungulate, muskox Ovibos moschatus, and whether benchmarks could be defined for element concentrations to assess population status. We measured qiviut (hair) element concentrations of 11 muskox populations ranging across northern America, including Greenland, and evaluated the association between element concentrations and different population trajectories. Seven trace and macro elements differentiated increasing populations from declining and stable populations using linear discriminant analysis. In general, copper, selenium, iron, manganese and cobalt tended to be at higher concentrations in increasing populations, whereas zinc and calcium were generally at lower concentrations in these populations, though variations were observed among populations. Benchmarks were defined for copper, selenium and iron, indicating populations were more likely to decline below a threshold concentration of these elements ('limit') and increase above a threshold concentration ('target'). 'Limit' benchmarks were defined for zinc and calcium where populations were more likely to be increasing below this threshold value. Hair element profiles are a useful indicator of population trajectory in wild ungulate populations. Identified benchmarks can be used to assess population status, complementing ongoing but irregular and expensive monitoring efforts like population surveys, while trace element concentrations can provide insights into the mechanisms driving population change. Hair samples can easily be collected non-invasively or alongside other monitoring activities, enhancing proactive wildlife management and conservation.

Essential mineral elements in roe deer: Associations with parasites and immune phenotypes in two contrasting populations

Low levels of essential mineral elements such as cobalt, copper, and iron, in organisms reduce immune function, increasing the chances of parasitic infection. This phenomenon has been demonstrated widely in domestic animals but rarely in wildlife. In this study, we used data from 7- to 9-month-old roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), living in two different populations facing contrasting environmental conditions (Trois-Fontaines and Chizé), to investigate whether the parasitic and immunological statuses could be related to essential element status. Between 2016 and 2019, we collected feces to measure parasite burdens (gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes), blood to measure immunological parameters (globulins and white blood cells), and hair to assess the concentration of 11 essential elements (calcium [Ca], chromium [Cr], cobalt [Co], copper [Cu], iron [Fe], magnesium [Mg], manganese [Mn], potassium [K], molybdenum [Mo], selenium [Se], and zinc [Zn]). The results showed first heterogeneity in the individual phenotypes of the two populations. Roe deer with low body mass had high concentrations of all the essential elements (in particular, Ca, Fe, Cu, K, and Mn), a high parasitic burden, and high concentrations of globulins. An association between high concentrations of essential elements and a high parasite burden was found at the two study sites despite markedly different environmental conditions. A relationship between essential element concentrations and immune parameters was also detected, with more basophils and globulins being associated with high concentrations of essential trace elements (i.e., Ca, Fe, Cu, and, to a lesser extent, Se, Cr, and Zn). These results suggest that young individuals with low body mass and high parasitism may select feeding resources rich in mineral elements, which may improve their ability to control the infestation and/or mitigate the negative consequences of parasites by maintaining immune system functions.

Direct and Indirect Linkages Between Trace Element Status and Health Indicators - a Multi-tissue Case-Study of Two Deer Species in Denmark

Measuring trace element concentrations in tissue can be a valuable approach to monitor animal health status. Temporal variation in the absorption, transport, and storage of elements between different tissues can, however, complicate the assessment of element-health relationships. Here, we measured concentrations of selected essential (copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se)) and non-essential (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb)) trace elements within blood, liver, kidney, and hair of fallow deer (Dama dama; N=20) and red deer (Cervus elaphus; N=21). Using multivariate regression and structural equation models, we estimated direct and indirect linkages between tissue-specific trace element profiles and long- (body condition) and short-term (serum protein biomarkers for acute inflammation, infection, and malnutrition) health indicators. Trace element concentrations varied markedly and were weakly correlated among tissues, with the exception of Se. After accounting for sex- and site-differences in trace element concentrations, body condition of red deer was directly, and positively, associated to trace element status in liver and hair, but not in kidney. For both deer species, trace element status in blood was directly linked to serum protein status with an indirect positive association to deer body condition. For fallow deer, no direct association between trace element status and body condition was detected in any of the tissues, possibly because of elemental homeostasis, and because all individuals were in good clinical health. This study shows that hair can serve as an effective, non-invasive, biomarker in deer health assessments, yet, to fully uncover trace element-health relationships a variety of sample matrices is preferred.

Mineral patterns in hair: A decisive factor between reproducible and repeat breeder dairy cows

Reproduction, especially impregnation, is a critical aspect of dairy cow management that directly influences herd milk productivity. We conducted a noninvasive hair mineral assay to compare the mineral profiles of two dairy cow groups: reproducible and repeat breeder, by investigating the levels of 11 essential minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Se, and P) and 6 toxic elements (Hg, Pb, Cd, Al, As, and Ni) in both groups. We also conducted principal component and correlation matrix analyses to compare hair mineral patterns between the groups. Compared to their reproducible counterparts, repeat breeder cows had lower levels of Na, K, and Se. However, Fe, Cd, Al, and As levels were higher in repeat breeders than in their reproducible counterparts. The correlation matrix showed notable correlation patterns for each group. Ca, K, and Na levels were positively correlated in reproducible cows, whereas repeat breeder cows showed positive correlations only between Ca and K levels. Se showed positive correlations with Zn only in the reproducible cow group. Negative correlations were not found in the reproducible group, whereas the repeat breeder group exhibited 7 negative correlations. Despite the limitations of hair mineral analysis, this study provided useful insights into the reproductive potential of dairy cows. These findings aid in easing the prediction of repeat breeder occurrences in herds and are expected to facilitate timely mineral supplementation and other interventions to improve overall herd reproduction in dairy farms.

Geochemical landscapes as drivers of wildlife reproductive success: Insights from a high-Arctic ecosystem

The bioavailability of essential and non-essential elements in vegetation is expected to influence the performance of free-ranging terrestrial herbivores. However, attempts to relate the use of geochemical landscapes by animal populations directly to reproductive output are currently lacking. Here we measured concentrations of 14 essential and non-essential elements in soil and vegetation samples collected in the Zackenberg valley, northeast Greenland, and linked these to environmental conditions to spatially predict and map geochemical landscapes. We then used long-term (1996-2021) survey data of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) to quantify annual variation in the relative use of essential and non-essential elements in vegetated sites and their relationship to calf recruitment the following year. Results showed that the relative use of the geochemical landscape by muskoxen varied substantially between years and differed among elements. Selection for vegetated sites with higher levels of the essential elements N, Cu, Se, and Mo was positively linked to annual calf recruitment. In contrast, selection for vegetated sites with higher concentrations of the non-essential elements As and Pb was negatively correlated to annual calf recruitment. Based on the concentrations measured in our study, we found no apparent associations between annual calf recruitment and levels of C, Mn, Co, Zn, Cd, Ba, Hg, and C:N ratio in the vegetation. We conclude that the spatial distribution and access to essential and non-essential elements are important drivers of reproductive output in muskoxen, which may also apply to other wildlife populations. The value of geochemical landscapes to assess habitat-performance relationships is likely to increase under future environmental change.

Variation of hair cortisol in two herds of migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus): implications for health monitoring

Migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus sspp.) is an ecotype of conservation concern that is experiencing increased cumulative stressors associated with rapid climate change and development in Arctic Canada. Increasingly, hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) are being used to monitor seasonal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity of ungulate populations; yet, the effect of key covariates for caribou (sex, season, sampling source, body location) are largely unknown. The objectives of this research were 4-fold: first, we assessed the impact of body location (neck, rump) sampling sites on HCC; second, we assessed key covariates (sex, sampling method, season) impacting HCCs of caribou; third, we investigated inter-population (Dolphin and Union (DU), Bluenose-East (BNE)) and inter-annual differences in HCC and fourth, we examined the association between HCCs and indices of biting insect activity on the summer range (oestrid index, mosquito index). We examined hair from 407 DU and BNE caribou sampled by harvesters or during capture-collaring operations from 2012 to 2020. Linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the effect of body location on HCC and generalized least squares regression (GLS) models were used to examine the impacts of key covariates, year and herd and indices of biting insect harassment. HCC varied significantly by body location, year, herd and source of samples (harvester vs capture). HCC was higher in samples taken from the neck and in the DU herd compared with the BNE, decreased linearly over time and was higher in captured versus hunted animals (P < 0.05). There was no difference in HCC between sexes, and indices of biting insect harassment in the previous year were not significantly associated with HCC. This study identifies essential covariates impacting the HCC of caribou that must be accounted for in sampling, monitoring and data interpretation.

Associations between hair trace mineral concentrations and the occurrence of treponeme-associated hoof disease in elk (Cervus canadensis)

BACKGROUND

Trace minerals are important for animal health. Mineral deficiency or excess can negatively affect immune function, wound healing, and hoof health in domestic livestock, but normal concentrations and health impairment associated with mineral imbalances in wild animals are poorly understood. Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) is an emerging disease of free-ranging elk (Cervus canadensis) in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Selenium and copper levels identified in a small number of elk from areas where TAHD is established (i.e., southwestern Washington) suggested a mineral deficiency may have increased susceptibility to TAHD. Our objectives were to determine trace mineral concentrations using hair from elk originating in TAHD affected areas of Washington, California, Idaho, and Oregon and assess their associations with the occurrence of the disease.

RESULTS

We identified limited associations between TAHD occurrence and severity with hair mineral concentrations in 72 free-ranging elk, using Firth's logistic regression and multinomial regression models. We found consistent support for a priori hypotheses that selenium concentration, an important mineral for hoof health, is inversely associated with the occurrence of TAHD. Less consistent support was observed for effects of other minerals previously associated with hoof health (e.g., copper or zinc) or increased disease risk from potential toxicants.

CONCLUSION

Trace mineral analysis of hair is a non-invasive sampling technique that offers feasibility in storage and collection from live animals and carcasses. For some minerals, levels in hair correlate with visceral organs that are challenging to obtain. Our study using hair collected opportunistically from elk feet submitted for diagnostic investigations provides a modest reference of hair mineral levels in elk from the U.S. Pacific Northwest that may be useful in future determination of reference ranges. Although our results revealed high variability in mineral concentrations between elk, consistent relationship of possibly low selenium levels and TAHD suggest that further investigations are warranted.

Seasonal Changes in Trace-Element Content in the Coat of Hucul Horses

The purpose of the study was to evaluate seasonal changes in selected trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Al in the coat of healthy Hucul horses kept in south-eastern Poland in two different facilities and fed with locally sourced feed. The coat for the study was collected from 24 individuals in autumn, winter, and spring. The concentration of elements in the feed was also determined. The date of collection had a significant effect on the concentration of the micronutrients analysed in the coat of Hucul horses. The highest concentration of Zn was found in the coat taken in summer. The coat taken in autumn had the highest concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Al compared with the other seasons. The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Al were found in fur taken in winter, with the lowest levels of Zn. Positive correlations were found between the content of iron and manganese, iron and aluminium, and manganese and aluminium in the coat of Hucul horses. A clear inter-individual and inter-stable variability was found, which may indicate the need for further research that also takes into account other factors.