Relationships between organohalogen contaminants and blood plasma clinical-chemical parameters in chicks of three raptor species from Northern Norway

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2010 Jan;73(1):7-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.08.017. Epub 2009 Oct 3.

Abstract

Organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) may affect various physiological parameters in birds including blood chemistry. We therefore examined blood plasma clinical-chemical parameters and OHCs in golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and goshawk chicks from Northern Norway. Correlation analyses on pooled data showed that alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), glucose and creatinine were significantly negatively correlated to various OHCs (all: p<0.05; r: -0.43 to -0.55; n=23), while alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), total protein, cholesterol, uric acid, total bilirubin, ratios protein:creatinine and uric acid:creatinine were significantly positively correlated to various OHCs (all: p<0.05; r: 0.43-0.96). Based on these relationships, we suggest that the OHC concentrations found in certain raptor chicks of Northern Scandinavia may impact blood plasma biochemistry in a way that indicates impacts on liver, kidney, bone, endocrinology and metabolism. In order to elaborate further on these relationships and mechanisms, we recommend that a larger study should take place in the near future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Blood Chemical Analysis*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Eagles
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Flame Retardants
  • Fluorocarbons / toxicity
  • Hawks
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated / toxicity
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / toxicity*
  • Norway
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / toxicity*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Uric Acid / blood

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Proteins
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Flame Retardants
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Uric Acid
  • Cholesterol
  • Creatinine
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Bilirubin