O. A. Zavyalov1, A. N. Frolov1 , Z. A. Galieva1, 2, K. N. Atlanderova1
1 Federal Scientific Center for Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
2 Bashkir State Agrarian University, Ufa, Russia
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Volume 26 No. 1
Date of paper submission: 08.08.2025, date of review: 04.12.2025, date of acceptance: 16.12.2025.
Published: 01/30/2026
Abstract. The purpose is to identify correlations between long-term hormonal status (assessed via hair) and trace element profiles in various biological samples (hair, serum, muscle) in bull calves, in order to study systemic endocrine-mineral interactions. Methods. The study involved 90 Hereford bull calves (18 months old). Concentrations of 12 hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, testosterone, estradiol, somatotropin, ACTH, FSH, progesterone, insulin, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyroglobulin) in hair were quantified using HPLC. Concentrations of 24 trace elements (essential and toxic) in hair, serum, and muscle tissue (m. longissimus dorsi) were analyzed using ICPAES/MS. Statistical analysis: Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (Rs) were calculated using Statistica 10.0 software. Scientific novelty. Significant correlations between cumulative hormone levels in hair and element concentrations in hair, serum, and the longissimus dorsi muscle, as a key metabolic tissue in cattle, were established for the first time. Results: 1) strong positive correlations of cortisol/adrenaline with Ca/Sr in hair (r = 0.73…0.87); 2) antagonism between stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline) and essential elements (Zn, Se, I, Mg, Cu) in serum (r = –0.42…–0.71); 3) negative correlations of cortisol with Mn, Co, Se, Cr in muscle tissue (r = –0.45…–0.75); 4) suppression of reproductive hormones by toxic metals: strong negative correlations (Cd-testosterone: r = –0.78; Pb-estradiol: r = –0.78). Conclusions. Essential elements (Cu, Zn, Se, I) are key regulators of hormonal balance, influencing stress response, thyroid function, and steroidogenesis across different samples. Conversely, Pb and Cd disrupt steroidogenesis and contribute to stress-associated mineral imbalance. These results form the basis for optimizing mineral nutrition and reducing toxic exposure to improve the health, productivity, and reproduction of beef cattle.
Keywords: bulls, hormonal status, hair, trace elements, blood serum, longissimus dorsi, matrix correlations
Acknowledgements. Supported by RSF (project № 24-16-00093).
For citation: Zavyalov O. A., Frolov A. N., Galieva Z. A., Atlanderova K. N. Hormonal status as a factor in the redistribution of trace elements: matrix correlations with elemental profiles in hair, blood serum, and muscles. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (01); 94‒107. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-01-94-107 (In Russ.)
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