Haematology, genotoxicity, enzymatic activity and histopathology as biomarkers of metal pollution in the shrew Crocidura russula |
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Authors: | Sánchez-Chardi A Marques C C Gabriel S I Capela-Silva F Cabrita A S López-Fuster M J Nadal J Mathias M L |
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Affiliation: | a Departament Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain b Servei de Microscòpia, Facultat de Ciències, Ed. C, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain c Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal d Centro de Investigação em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Évora, 7002-552 Évora, Portugal e Centro de Histofisiologia, Instituto de Patologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal |
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Abstract: | Haematological (WBC, RBC, Hgb and Hct) and genotoxicity (MNT) parameters, hepatic enzymatic activities (GST, GPx and GR), and a histopathological evaluation of liver, kidneys and gonads were assessed as general biomarkers of metal pollution in the shrew Crocidura russula inhabiting a pyrite mining area. Specimens exposed to metals presented a few significant alterations when compared with reference animals: GST activity decreased; micronuclei increased; and evident liver alterations related to metal exposure were observed. On the basis of all the parameters studied, age was an important factor that partly explained the observed variation, whereas sex was the least important factor. Significant correlations were also found between heavy metal concentrations and biomarkers evaluated, demonstrating the great influence of these metals in the metabolic alterations. To the best of our knowledge, these data constitute the first measurements of a battery of biomarkers in shrews from a mine site and are among the few available for insectivorous mammals. |
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Keywords: | Crocidura russula Biomarkers Pollution Pyrite mine Histopathology |
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