The zinc status in free living European bisons

The aim of the present investigation is the determination of zinc content in the organism of European free-living bison in the Białowieża Forest, Poland.  Samples of liver, kidney, ribs, muscle and hair were collected in winter 2002 during sanitary shots. Samples were mineralized in a microwave apparatus, and zinc contents were determined by the ICP-OES method.  Comparing the least significant differences between groups, higher zinc contents were observed in the liver of males and older animals. In the kidney higher zinc contents were found in older animals and in the rib, hair and muscle the level of zinc did not differ depending on sex. In the rib and hair no statistically significant differences depending on age were observed