A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Plasma carotenoid levels are not directly related to heavy metal exposure or reproductive success in three insectivorous passerines
Authors: Eeva T, Rainio M, Kanerva M, Salminen JP
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Publication year: 2012
Journal: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Journal name in source: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
Journal acronym: ENVIRON TOXICOL CHEM
Number in series: 6
Volume: 31
Issue: 6
First page : 1363
Last page: 1369
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0730-7268
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.1821
Abstract
The authors measured plasma carotenoid levels in three insectivorous bird species, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), and the great tit (Parus major) in metal-polluted and unpolluted sites around a copper smelter. Their aim was to determine whether there was interspecific, age-related, or yearly variation in carotenoid levels and their responses to the ambient pollution level. The three bird species showed qualitatively and quantitatively similar carotenoid profiles, with lutein being always the predominant plasma carotenoid. Ficedula hypoleuca nestlings showed higher plasma carotenoid levels in the unpolluted than in the polluted area, whereas no significant differences were found in F. hypoleuca females or in nestlings or females of the Parids. Yearly comparison of plasma concentrations (only for P. major nestlings) showed, however, that levels varied nonsynchronously between polluted and unpolluted sites among the breeding seasons, with the yearly variation being higher in the polluted area. The survival of nestlings did not depend on their plasma carotenoid concentrations. The two Parid species showed lower nestling survival at sites with high metal exposure levels. The authors conclude that plasma carotenoid levels showed a marked spatial, temporal, and age-related variation, but were not directly related to heavy metal exposure or the reproductive success of birds. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:13631369. (c) 2012 SETAC
The authors measured plasma carotenoid levels in three insectivorous bird species, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), and the great tit (Parus major) in metal-polluted and unpolluted sites around a copper smelter. Their aim was to determine whether there was interspecific, age-related, or yearly variation in carotenoid levels and their responses to the ambient pollution level. The three bird species showed qualitatively and quantitatively similar carotenoid profiles, with lutein being always the predominant plasma carotenoid. Ficedula hypoleuca nestlings showed higher plasma carotenoid levels in the unpolluted than in the polluted area, whereas no significant differences were found in F. hypoleuca females or in nestlings or females of the Parids. Yearly comparison of plasma concentrations (only for P. major nestlings) showed, however, that levels varied nonsynchronously between polluted and unpolluted sites among the breeding seasons, with the yearly variation being higher in the polluted area. The survival of nestlings did not depend on their plasma carotenoid concentrations. The two Parid species showed lower nestling survival at sites with high metal exposure levels. The authors conclude that plasma carotenoid levels showed a marked spatial, temporal, and age-related variation, but were not directly related to heavy metal exposure or the reproductive success of birds. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:13631369. (c) 2012 SETAC
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