Maria A. Perevozchikova
@vniioz1922.ru
Russian Game Management and Fur Farming Research Institute
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Animal Science and Zoology, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Pavel Kochkarev, Maria Perevozchikova, Alexey Sergeyev, Valery Shiryaev, and Mikhail Dvornikov
Kemerovo State University
Reproduction is key to the survival and development of a species. Anthropogenic activities release significant amounts of toxic pollutants into the environment. In this study, we aimed to determine effects of heavy metals on some reproductive parameters of the mountain hare.Female mountain hares (n = 41) were hunted in the reference and industrially polluted areas of Krasnoyarsk Krai during four seasons. Their skeletal muscles, liver, and kidneys were subjected to atomic absorption spectrometry to determine concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury.The contents of lead, cadmium, and mercury were significantly higher in the hares from the contaminated areas compared to the reference sites. According to the results, the exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury had an impact on the reproductive potential of the female mountain hares. In particular, we established correlations between numbers of embryos and corpora lutea and contents of lead in the kidneys and liver, as well as cadmium in the kidneys. The number of corpora lutea and embryonic losses in the female hares from the contaminated areas were higher than those in the hared from reference areas. However, the numbers of embryos did not differ significantly between the compared areas.Our study showed that about 40% of the liver samples and 100% of the muscle tissue samples obtained from the hares in the impact zone contained high concentrations of lead and cadmium. Therefore, hunting in these industrially polluted areas may pose a toxic hazard to the indigenous peoples living there. Further research is needed to assess potential and actual fertility, offspring survival, and other important parameters of mountain hare populations exposed to different levels of chemical pollution.
Yuliya A. Berezina, Oleg Yu. Bespyatykh, Maria А. Perevozchikova, Igor A. Plotnikov, Igor A. Domsky, and Anna S. Syutkina
Science and Innovation Center
Background. Currently, a large amount of reference information has been accumulated in the field of physiology of fur-bearing animals. The morphology and biochemistry of blood, immunological parameters were studied in detail. At the same time, there is significantly less data on the endocrine system and its effect on reproduction, and there is no information on the dynamics of cholesterol and testosterone in male foxes of different color types. There are few publications, especially those related to ontogenesis, that would analyze the formation of steroidogenesis. Considering that in the literature data on the endocrine system and its influence on the reproduction of fur-bearing animals are found in isolated cases, and there is no information on the dynamics of cholesterol and testosterone in male foxes, it is of great scientific and practical interest to clarify the ontogenetic dynamics of testosterone concentration in foxes of different color types and its relationship with cholesterol due to the latter’s direct participation in steroidogenesis. Therefore, the purpose of the study: to study the dynamics of testosterone and cholesterol concentrations in male foxes of different color types in postnatal ontogenesis.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in the veterinary laboratory of the Federal State Budgetary Institution VNIIOZ named after. prof. B.M. Zhitkova (Kirov, Russia). The study used young domesticated foxes (Vulpes vulpes L., 1758), bred at Vyatka Animal Farm LLC (Kirov region, Russia). From clinically healthy male foxes of two color types: silver-black and red, 2 groups of 16 animals each were formed. Ontogenetic development was observed in animals aged from 45 days to 10 months. By the age of 9 months, animals become sexually mature and participate in the breeding process, which for foxes happens once a year - in January-February. Blood was taken from foxes at the age of 45 days, 4, 6, 9 and 10 months, which corresponded to the seasons of the year in July, September, November, February and March. The concentration of testosterone and cholesterol in the blood serum was determined. Testosterone was studied on an automatic microplate photometer Immunochem-2100 (High Technology Inc., USA) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a test system produced by Hema-Medica LLC (Russia). Cholesterol in blood serum was determined on a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer "Biochem SA" (USA) using kits from "Ecoservice" (Russia). The results were processed by statistical methods. The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess the significance of differences. The level of statistical significance of the obtained differences between the compared samples was accepted at p<0.05.Research results. A strong direct statistical relationship (r=0.993) was established for the concentration of testosterone in the blood serum between silver-black and red foxes during postnatal ontogenesis. Moreover, the concentration of testosterone in the red fox is higher than in the silver-black one (p<0.05). A strong direct relationship (r=0.880, p<0.05) between the concentration of cholesterol in the blood of animals and the color color was established. In the blood serum of males, the content of testosterone and cholesterol is closely related in both silver-black (r=0.960, p<0.05) and red foxes (r=0.980, p<0.05).Conclusion. This study provides new data on differences in cholesterol and testosterone levels in foxes of different color types. These results may have important implications for understanding the biological differences between different species and types of animals, as well as the impact of hormonal changes on overall health and reproductive processes.
Maria Perevozchikova, Iraida Okulova, Alexey Sergeyev, Igor Domsky, Valery Shiryaev, Mikhail Dvornikov, and Boris Zarubin
Kemerovo State University
Wild ungulates are a convenient object for environmental monitoring. The authors used the histological structures in deer’sliver to assess the well-being of populations in unfavorable anthropogenic and natural habitats.The research featured liver tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and fallow deer (Dama dama). Thehistosections were examined in a MEIJI TECHNO microscope using the Vision Bio (Epi) software. The statistical processinginvolved traditional methods using the correlation and one-factor analysis of variance. The null hypothesis was rejected atan ingenuity level of ≤ 0.05.The structure of the hepatic plates, blood vessels, foci of necrosis, and inflammation proved suitable as indicators. The cellcount, structure, shape, ratio of mono- and binuclear hepatocytes, as well as their nuclei and cytoplasm, were assessed bymicroscope. The areas of cells, nuclei, and cytoplasm, as well as the value of the nuclear-cytoplasmic index, demonstrateddiagnostic significance. A number of parameters depended on age and sex. The indicators demonstrated reliable correlations.The animals had a similar histological picture, even when the samples were obtained from geographically separated areas. Thesamples showed pathological transformations, including necrotic foci and binucleate hepatocytes. The structure and microvasculatureof hepatic plates were disturbed.Well-being assessment is a relevant issue for populations of economically important animal species. An environmental monitoringsystem with wild ungulates as biological indicators could improve the monitoring system for the state of biota and itsqualitative parameters, as well as ensure the well-being of the livestock and the high quality of the resulting products. Theobtained histomorphometric parameters can be used as reference values in the norm-pathology gradient.
, P. V. Kochkarev, M. A. Perevozchikova, , A. A. Sergeev, , V. V. Shiryaev, , V. N. Piminov, and
O-Kratkoe Ltd
Studying the concentration of biogenic and toxic microelements in the body tissues of wild animals is relevant for organizing regional environmental monitoring, assessing the state of populations and ensuring the safety of meat and wild products. The studies were carried out to determine the content of biogenic and toxic elements in the organs and tissues of the willow ptarmigan in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Region, Russia, where different levels of technogenic pollution are expected. The iron, copper, nickel, lead, and cadmium content in the pectoral muscles and liver of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus L.) (n=162), bagged during five hunting seasons in 2005–2019, were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The levels of lead, cadmium and iron in the tissues were significantly higher in contaminated areas, while the copper levels did not differ. Element concentrations in liver and skeletal muscle in impact areas were highly correlated with each other. This may be related to common sources of pollutant emissions. Sex differences in micronutrient content can be determined by spatial differentiation of the sexes during migration, seasonal feeding patterns, and the specific birds’ metabolism in reproductive period. Cadmium and lead content in liver and muscle tissue samples from impact areas exceeded current food hygiene standards, which may pose a threat to consumers. Probably, high levels of lead and cadmium reflect the increased content of metals in food items primarily willow sprouts and buds, which are the most important winter food for ptarmigan.
Maria Perevozchikova, Igor Domsky, and Alexey Sergeyev
Kemerovo State University
Comparative studies that feature the physiology of wild and domestic animals replenish the fundamental knowledge in the field of biology and adaptive potential, thus increasing the efficiency of domestication. Semi-free conditions and artificial environment create prerequisites for epidemics and stress. However, early detection can prevent critical situations. This research provides new data on moose biology and physiology by establishing age and sex hematological parameters.
 The study featured moose blood samples (n = 55) obtained in the Kirov Region in the northeast of European Russia. Hematological tests relied on a veterinary version of a MicroCC-20 Plus automatic analyzer (High Technology).
 This research was the first of its kind to introduce a comparative hematological analysis of local European moose according to age and sex. Adults and calves demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.05) in red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean concentration hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet distribution width, red blood cell distribution width, platelet crit, platelets, leukocytes, and eosinophils. Females and males also had significant differences (p < 0.05) in red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red blood cell distribution width, platelet distribution width, platelets, and eosinophil content. The single- and multivariate analysis made it possible to establish the effect of physiological factors on the blood parameters in moose.
 The hematological values were in line with the most indicators reported in other publications on wild artiodactyls. The existing differences in blood parameters depended on the species, habitat, food supply, age, and sex.
Maria Perevozchikova, Igor Domsky, Yulia Berezina, Alexey Sergeyev, and Alexandr Economov
Kemerovo State University
The moose has good prospects for hunting and game breeding. Peripheral blood indicators can provide information about their health status and adaptive capabilities, as well as non-infectious, infectious, and invasive pathologies. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity is one of the most common clinical biochem ical tests in this respect. 
 The study involved blood samples obtained from male moose (n = 75) of four age groups: calves aged 6–7 months, young animals of 18 months old, adults of 2.5–7.5 years old, and adults aged ≥ 8.5 years. The biomaterial sampling was carried out in October – December in the southern taiga subzone, Kirov Region. The blood samples were obtained by cutting the jugular vein (Venae jugularis) immediately after the animal was shot during legal hunting. The blood serum tests involved a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer (Biochem SA High Technology, USA).
 The alkaline phosphatase activity in male European moose during different periods of ontogenesis demonstrated the following pattern. In the first months of life, the enzyme activity was as high as 222.16 ± 31.14 U/L. This process was typical of intense hydrolysis of organic phosphorus esters, including the exchange of macroergs caused by rapid osteogenesis. At 18 months, the demand for organophosphorus compounds in metabolic processes decreased (46.48 ± 44.09 U/L), as did the role of the enzyme in maintaining homeostasis. In adults of 2.5–7.5 years old, alkaline phosphatase activity dropped to 69.88 ± 11.31 U/L. In 8.5-year-old males, it was as low as 47.34 ± 4.74 U/L. All age groups demonstrated significant differences in alkaline phosphatase activity. Therefore, age had a significant effect on enzyme activity. The study also revealed a certain correlation between alkaline phosphatase activity and body weight.
 The dynamics of alkaline phosphatase activity in ontogenesis reflected homeostatic changes in the moose body. Indicators of alkaline phosphatase activity can serve as an efficiency marker and an additional criterion in standard selection methods in zootechnical practice.
and M.A. Perevozchikova
Sel'skokhozyaistvennaya Biologiya Editorial Office (SBEO), NPO