A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Blood Toxic Elements and Effects on Plasma Vitamins and Carotenoids in Two Wild Bird Species: Turdus merula and Columba livia
Authors: Sánchez-Virosta Pablo, Zamora-Marín José Manuel, León-Ortega Mario, Jiménez Pedro J., Rivas Silvia, Sánchez-Morales Lidia, Camarero Pablo R., Mateo Rafael, Zumbado Manuel, Luzardo Octavio P., Eeva Tapio, García-Fernández Antonio J., Espín Silvia
Publisher: MDPI
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Toxics
Journal name in source: TOXICS
Journal acronym: TOXICS
Article number: ARTN 219
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Number of pages: 17
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9090219
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/67412700
Birds have historically suffered adverse effects by toxic elements, such as As, Pb, Hg, and Cd. However, reports on exposure to a wide range of elements, including rare earth elements and other minor elements of emerging concern, and the potential consequences for wildlife are still scarce. This study evaluates blood concentrations of 50 elements and their related effects on lutein and vitamin levels in the Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) and wild rock pigeon (Columba livia), inhabiting different scenarios of contaminant exposure. Blood concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb (and Mn in T. merula) were increased in both species captured in the mining area, compared to the control site. T. merula also showed increased As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in blood in the agricultural-urban area, as compared to the control area, together with the highest Hg levels, which could be related to agricultural practices and industrial activities. Decreases of 33 and 38% in the plasma retinol levels in T. merula inhabiting the mining and the agricultural-urban areas, respectively, as compared to the control site, were associated with increased Pb, As, and Cd exposure. This could be due to a metal-driven suppressive effect in retinol metabolism and/or its over-use for coping with metal-related oxidative stress.
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