The study aimed at assessing the sodium and potassium content in chosen tissues and organs of free-ranging European bisons in Białowieża Primeval Forest depending on the gender and age of animals. In order to determine the content of elements in parenchymal tissues, ribs and hair, the ICP-OES method was used. In the hooves, sodium and potassium were determined with the help of ICP-MS. The sodium content in organs and skin appendages varied from 0.30 in hair to 4.77 mg∙g-1 in ribs. In the analysis of the age effect, some significant differences were observed between the investigated groups in the sodium content of the hoof wall, namely, a higher mean value was noted in young individuals. The potassium content in the examined samples was within the range of 0.96 in the hoof wall to 3.63 mg∙g-1 in kidneys. Significant age dependent differences were noted only in the ribs. Sodium and potassium concentrations in the hoof wall were correlated in a highly significant way. Similar dependences also appeared between the content of sodium and potassium in kidneys and liver and kidneys and muscles. On the basis of the results it can be concluded that the status of sodium and potassium supply in the European bison from Białowieża Forest is adequate.

20.2.2015