Heavy Metals Mediated Genotoxic Effects on Captive Pavo cristatus from Different Sites of the Punjab, Pakistan
Heavy Metals Mediated Genotoxic Effects on Captive Pavo cristatus from Different Sites of the Punjab, Pakistan
Aniqa Qaisar, Shabana Naz* and Sajida Arooj
ABSTRACT
Heavy metal pollution is a big problem not only for humans but also for captive animals. The current study was conducted to monitor the heavy metal pollution in a non-invasive way and to investigate the DNA damage, particularly due to heavy metals contamination in the environment of captive Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) kept at different geographical regions of Punjab (Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore, Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar and Wildlife Park Murree). For that purpose, Surface soil, deep soil, water, fecal and feed samples were collected as indicators to estimate the heavy metals pollution in the environment of captive P. cristatus. Cr. Pb, Ni, Co and Mn were identified through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The highest accumulation of heavy metals was found in feed samples followed by fecal matter as compared to water and soil samples in all the sites. Cr was found highly abundant in all sites than other metals. The highest heavy metal pollution was observed in Wildlife Park Murree followed by Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore and least in Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar. Blood samples of P. cristatus were collected from all sites to assess the DNA damage by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. P. cristatus kept at Wildlife Park Murree and Jallo Wildlife Park Lahore had almost same and greater DNA damage than the birds kept at Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar. Heavy metal concentrations and variation in DNA damage were correlated. Only Cr and Mn concentrations were directly associated with the LHead and LComet variations. This study concluded that heavy metals contamination exposure could be detected by a no-invasive way and Wildlife Park Bahawalnagar is most suitable for captivity with the least heavy metal contamination and genotoxicants.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
