The effect of gender and age on the sulphur tissue content in free living European bisons / Wpływ płci i wieku na zawartość siarki w tkankach żubra wolno żyjącego

The presented investigations aimed at determining sulphur status in the European bison free ranging in Białowieża primeval forest. The sulphur concentration in the liver, kidneys, muscle and rib was determined. The material for analyses was obtained from animals eliminated within annual selection. They were grouped according to gender (males, females) and age (calves up to one year of age, animals aged over two years). The sulphur concentrations were determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method in the accredited laboratory. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica™ 10 packet. No statistically significant differences in the sulphur content were observed with respect to the sex and age of animals. The mean content of the discussed element in the liver of European bisons amounted to 6.75 g • kg⁻¹ of the fresh tissue, 6.82 g • kg⁻¹ in kidneys, 6.66 g • kg⁻¹ in muscles and 0.44 g • kg⁻¹ in ribs.