The effect of gender on biomarkers of environmental contamination of Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Living beings are constantly exposed to a wide variety of environmental contaminants and their biochemical response can be employed to assess the possible biological impact of such pollution. Sex can play a major role in the uptake, fate, and effects of contaminants in organisms. The present study evaluated endogenous levels of different biomarkers in both male and female roe deer in order to determine background levels of these biomarkers and sex-related differences in this species. Post-mitochondrial hepatic, renal, and pulmonary cytochrome P450 subfamily 1A1, as well as phase II enzymes glutathione S-transferase and uridine diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase, and lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde levels were determined. The highest values of all the considered parameters were quantified in liver. Results showed no differences in levels of enzymatic activities in the three considered tissues. However, a statistical difference (P<0.05) in lipid peroxidation was observed in liver, finding higher values in males. The obtained results indicate that liver is the most important biotransformation site, rendering this organ as the first choice for biomonitoring studies. Nevertheless, the differences related to sex in this organ should be taken into account when the effect of pollutants has to be studied on specific ecosystems.