The role of iron in metal-metal interactions in hard tissues of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.).

INTRODUCTION

The toxicity of heavy metals in humans and animals has been attributed to their potential for accumulation in solid tissues and interference with other vitally important elements present in the body. We have devised this study to determine the content of some metals in bone and to determine with the Statistica Neural Networks program whether the content of one metal has any effect on the content of other metals.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Our material consisted of mandibles obtained from deer aged 2 to 6 years. Using a dental drill, pulverized bone was obtained for measurements of calcium, copper, and zinc with atomic absorption spectrometry and magnesium, chromium, manganese, and iron with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectometry. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistica software and its Statistica Neural Network program.

RESULTS

We found that the concentration in bone of one metal affects the concentrations of other metals.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron seems to play a special role in the accumulation of other metals by bone. The use of artificial neural networks was helpful in identifying candidate elements (like iron) which are active in controlling concentrations of other metals in bone.