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Abstract
Purpose
Evaluate genotoxic effect of heavy metals on Pigeon Erythrocytes (PE) from urban and rural habitat (outside of the city) in Monterrey, Mexico, using the chromatin dispersion assay.
Materials and methods
We quantified metals concentrations (Cd, Hg, Cu and Pb) in tail feathers of 22 pigeons from an urban and a rural site in northeastern Mexico. DNA damage in peripheral blood erythrocytes was measured by chromatin dispersion assay in 13 pigeon living in urban habitat and in nine living in rural habitat as the control. MicroNucleus (MN) test was used to confirm levels of DNA damage.
Results
Birds in urban habitat had highest concentrations in feathers for all the metallic elements analysed with respect to birds in rural habitat. Concentrations of Cu and Hg showed a significant increase (p < 0.05). Our results showed a significant increase of DNA damage in urban-habitat pigeons compared with that of pigeons in rural area. These results were confirmed by a MN test.
Conclusions
Our preliminary findings demonstrate that PE examination via chromatin dispersion assay is a reliable, precise and inexpensive morphological bioassay for evaluating environmental genotoxicity associated with heavy metals. Further studies for evaluating the individual participation of contaminants in DNA damage are needed.
Acknowledgments
Carlos Yeverino, Jesús Ovalle, Edwin González and Alexis Martínez supported during field and laboratory activities. Daniela Aguilera-Márquez supported during metals quantification. The authors thank Maggie Brunner for improving the English style.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.