Plasma cholinesterase activities in wild birds from undisturbed woodlands in the central Monte desert

QUERO, ARNOLDO ÁNGEL MARTÍN; ZARCO, AGUSTÍN; LANDA, FLORENCIA BELÉN; GORLA, NORA BIBIANA MARÍA

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

SETAC PRESS

Año: 2019 vol. 38

0730-7268

Plasma cholinesterase activity is a biomarker sensitive to the effect of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. These enzymatic levels are unknown for most of the wild birds analyzed in this study. The objectives were to establish plasma acetylcholinesterase levels in songbirds of two undisturbed sites in the central Monte desert (Argentina). The influence of age, sex, body condition, feeding and migratory habits, and species of belonging on cholinesterase activity is also examined. One hundred and sixty-five wild birds belonging to 26 species were studied. The values obtained for acetylcholinesterase activities provide a good estimate of the normal values in free-living individuals of Zonotrichia capensis, Molothrus bonariensis, Passer domesticus, Diuca diuca, Pospiza ornata, Saltator aurantiirostris, Gryseotyrannus aurantioatrocristatus and Columbina picui, with interspecific differences. The media enzymatic levels ± standar error ranged from 546.31 ± 17.97 μmol min-1 L-1 in P. domesticus to 3439.90 ± 173.92 in Tyrannus melancholicus. No significant differences were detected between different sexes or ages. Birds that migrate (which are also insectivores), showed higher levels of cholinesterase than residents (mainly granivores). It is recommended that in cases of bird poisoning, plasma cholinesterase activity can be used as a diagnostic tool only if pre-exposure levels obtained in the same species are available, and ideally evaluated in individuals from the same biogeographical region.