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

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
• Main Authors: Sonne, Christian, Bustnes, Jan Ove, Herzke, Dorte, Jaspers, Veerle, Covaci, Adrian, Halley, Duncan J., Moum, Truls, Eulaers, Igor, Eens, Marcel, Ims, Rolf A., Hanssen, Sveinn A., Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Johnsen, Trond, Rigét, Frank F., Jensen, Asger L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Biology; Norway; Northern Norway; White-tailed eagle; golden eagle
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10067/791290151162165141

Abstract: Organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) may affect various physiological parameters in birds including blood chemistry. We therefore examined blood plasma clinicalchemical 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: 0.430.96). 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.