Seasonal, age and sex fluctuations in aflatoxin B1 content in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall).

The goal of this study was to monitor the accumulation of aflatoxin B1 in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall) in the region of south-western Slovakia. A total of 65 samples were involved for analysis by RIA method. Brown hares were divided into the groups according to age, sex and season (month). The sex was determined visually after shooting, and the age was assigned from dried eye lens. The average concentration of AFB1 in the liver of hares was 0.54 ± 0.053 µg/kg, and lower values were measured in the kidney (0.41 ± 0.038 µg/kg). The significantly (P < 0.05) higher values were found in winter months when compared to summer months. According to the age, juvenile animals showed significant higher accumulation of B1 in both organs than adults (P < 0.05). Wild animals can serve as a good model of real environmental contamination. Thus, monitoring of risk factors such as mycotoxins in the environment is important with regard to public health, as game animals constitute an important part of food chain for humans.

Citation

Jaroslav Slamecka, Marcela Capcarova, Rastislav Jurcik, Tomas Sladecek, Maria-Jose Carrascosa Argente, Agnieszka Gren, Peter Massanyi. Seasonal, age and sex fluctuations in aflatoxin B1 content in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall). Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering. 2017 Apr 16;52(5):466-470

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PMID: 28095185

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