Basal levels of inorganic elements, genetic damages, and hematological values in captive Falco peregrinus

• Published in: Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Main Authors: Julian Stocker, Ana Paula Morel, Micaele Wolfarth, Johnny Ferraz Dias, Liana Appel Boufleur Niekraszewicz, Cristina V. Cademartori, Fernanda R. da Silva
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Genética 2022
• Subjects: Biological monitoring; basal DNA damage; falcon; reference value; hematology; Genetics; QH426-470; Falco peregrinus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2022-0067; https://doaj.org/article/2ebc3e9a8cde49caa5340b0163d73c20

Abstract It is essential to determine the basal pattern of different biomarkers for future evaluation of animal health and biomonitoring studies. Due to their great displacement capacity and to being at the top of their food chains, birds of prey are suitable for monitoring purposes. Furthermore, some birds of prey are adapted to using resources in urban places, providing information about this environment. Thus, this study determined the basal frequency of micronuclei and other nuclear alterations in peripheral blood erythrocytes of Falco peregrinus. Hematological and inorganic elements analysis were also performed. For this purpose, 13 individuals (7 females and 6 males) were sampled in private breeding grounds. Micronucleus, nuclear buds, nucleoplasmic bridges, notched nuclei, binucleated cells and nuclear tails were quantified. Inorganic elements detected included the macro-elements Ca, P, Mg, Na, Cl, S and K as well as the micro-elements Fe, Al and Zn. Our study found similar values compared to previous studies determining the reference ranges of hematologic parameters in falcons. The only different value was observed in the relative number of monocytes. Thus, this study is the first approach to obtaining reference values of cytogenetic damage in this species and could be useful for future comparisons in biomonitoring studies.