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Gonçalves, A.M., Rocha, C.P., Marques, J.C. and Gonçalves, F.J., 2021. Enzymes as useful biomarkers to assess the response of freshwater
communities to pesticide exposure–A review. Ecological Indicators,122, p.107303.
Bang, J.H., Ku, H.O., Kang, H.G., Kim, H., Kim, S., Park, S.W., Kim, Y.S., Jang, I., Bae, Y.C., Woo, G.H. and Yi, H., 2019. Acetylcholinesterase
activity in the brain of wild birds in Korea—2014 to 2016. Journal of veterinary science,20(2).
Wheelock, C.E., Phillips, B.M., Anderson, B.S., Miller, J.L., Miller, M.J. and Hammock, B.D., 2008. Applications of carboxylesterase activity in
environmental monitoring and toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs). Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology, pp.117-178.
Bjedov, D., Mikuška, A., Lackmann, C., Begović, L., Mikuška, T. and Velki, M., 2021. Application of Non-Destructive Methods: Biomarker Assays in
Blood of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Nestlings. Animals, 11(8), p.2341.
Introduction
Material & methods
Results
Biomarkers of effect show spatial variation in plasma of white stork
(
Ciconia ciconia
) nestlings from Croatia
Biomarkeri učinka u plazmi ptića bijele rode (Ciconia ciconia) s različitih lokaliteta u kontinentalnoj Hrvatskoj
Dora Bjedov1,2, Mirna Velki1, Tibor Mikuška2, Luka Jurinović3, Alma Mikuška1
Enzyme activities are extensively used biomarkers to assess the response of organisms to various chemicals from the environment (Gonçalves et al. 2021).
Biomarkers of effect could be used for providing crucial information and identifying harmful effects on non-target avian organisms such as white stork (Ciconia ciconia).
Changes in acetylcholinesterase activity has been used as a diagnostic biomarker for pesticide exposure, such has organophosphate derivate and carbamates (Bang
et al. 2019), and variation in carboxylesterase activity can be inhibited by organophosphate derivate, carbamates, diones, sulphonamides, etc. (Wheelock et al.2008).
White stork is a suitable species for biomonitoring due to being apex predators that forage in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Since white stork is an altricial
species, the nestlings are suitable bioindicators of environmental pollution by utilizing non-destructive methods and analysing biomarkers in blood (Bjedov et al.2021).
Information regarding potential exposure to harmful substances could be obtained from enzyme
analysis. For this purpose, we compared biomarker response from seven locations in continental
Croatia (Fig. 1): Jakuševec (n= 8), Lonjsko polje (n=12), Crnac polje (n=18), Jelas polje (n=
11), Slavonski Brod −east (n=10), Podunavlje (n=30) and Donje Podravlje (n=17). During
breeding season 2021, 4 mL of white stork nestlings blood was sampled from brachial vein and
plasma was obtained by centrifugation. Specific activities of biomarkers of effect:
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CES) were analysed in nestlings’ plasma
(Bjedov et al. 2021). Linear mixed modeling was performed using the lme function. Using post hoc
test emmeans we tested for significant differences between the locations. Levels of statistical
significance was 0.05 (pvalue).
►No differences were found between the locations in AChE
activity (Fig. 2).
►The lowest AChE activity was recorded in Jelas polje (Fig. 2).
►Inhibition in CES activity was recorded at Crnac polje,
Podunavlje, and Donje Podravlje compared to Jakuševec (Fig. 2).
►Results suggest presence of inhibitory pollutants
areas are known for agricultural intensification, farming
and excessive illegal hunting.
►Changes in CES activity indicate activation of detoxification
mechanisms and shielding AChE from inhibitory xenobiotics.
►White stork nestlings appear to be exposed to
environmental toxicants. However, a detailed chemical
analysis of contaminants are needed for a complete
comprehension of nestling’s exposure and health status.
Conclusions
References
0
200
400
600
800
1000
AChE
Enzyme activity (nmol-1min-1mL-1)
Jakuševec
Lonjsko polje
Crnac polje
Jelas polje
Slavonski Brod - east
Podunavlje
Donje Podravlje
0
500
1000
1500
CES
Enzyme activity (nmol-1min-1mL-1)
Jakuševec
Lonjsko polje
Crnac polje
Jelas polje
Slavonski Brod - east
Podunavlje
Donje Podravlje
**
**
*
1Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
2Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
3Croatian Veterinary Institute, Poultry Centre, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Figure 1. Sampling locations.
We gratefully acknowledge Student Council of Josip Juraj Strossmayer
University of Osijek for financial support. This preliminary study is part
of the research project “Nestlings ecotoxicology in continental Croatia”.
Acknowledgement
Figure 2. Specific acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CES) activities in the plasma of white stork
nestlings from different areas in Croatia. Statistical differences are indicated with * (p< 0.05) and ** (p< 0.01).
10th Symposium Kopački rit Past, Present, Future with
International Participation
30 September –1 October 2021. Kopačevo, Croatia