Hematological parameters in different species of antarctic penguins: potential use as biological markers of contamina-tion

NAJLE R.; SOLANA H.D.; MONTALTI D.

Cape Town

Conferencia; Third International Penguin Conference; 1996

Two common and widely used liquid fuels with hepatotoxic activity, and trimethyltin, a compound with neurotoxic activity which is used in several industrial processes, were tested for their toxicity in two species of Pygoscelis penguins. Gentoo penguin Pygoscelis papua were dosed with Trimethyltin (TMT)(15 mg/kg) and Adelie penguin P. adeliae were dosed with fuel for air (JP1)(0.20 ml/kg) and land transport (Polar Diesel, PD)(0.20 ml/kg). We use the serum proteins as markers of contamination on Gentoo and Adelie penguins. The following hematological parameters were measured: hemaglobin, hematocrit, glucose, total lipids, total proteins and enzimes (AST Aspartate Transaminase and ALT Alanine Transaminase). Normal hematological values obtained on all penguins are in agreement with previously published data. All tested birds showed significant toxic changes being seen clinically and/or by blood tests. No mortality was observed during the experiment. ß globulin increased in Gentoo penguins treated with TMT, showing highly significant differences. α 1 and α 2 globulin was fusioned. There was a marked drop in total proteins in Adelie penguins dosed with JP1. ß and γ globulin decreased significantly in Adelie penguins exposed to Polar Diesel. This study show that serum proteins and enzimes levels will be used as biological markers of contamination on penguins.