Cadmium, copper, iron, and zinc concentrations in kidneys of grey wolves, Canis lupus, from Alaska, Idaho, Montana (USA) and the Northwest Territories (Canada)

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 Nov;85(5):481-5. doi: 10.1007/s00128-010-0126-6. Epub 2010 Oct 24.

Abstract

Cadmium, copper, iron, and zinc levels were measured in the kidneys of 115 grey wolves (Canis lupus) from Idaho, Montana and Alaska (United States), and from the Northwest Territories (Canada). No significant differences in the levels of iron or copper were observed between locations, but wolf kidneys from more northern locations had significantly higher cadmium levels (Alaska > Northwest Territories > Montana ≈ Idaho), and wolves from Alaska showed significantly higher zinc than other locations. Additionally, female wolves in Alaska had higher iron levels than males, and adult wolves in Montana had higher copper levels than subadults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alaska
  • Animals
  • Cadmium / metabolism
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Idaho
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Montana
  • Northwest Territories
  • Wolves / metabolism*
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Cadmium
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Zinc