Evidence of synergistic toxicity in birds: experimental co-exposures to cyanobacteria and toxic metal (lead) causes immunosuppressions in Japanese quail
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| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Although the role of cyanobacterial metabolites in mass mortalities of wild birds has been discussed, there are only limited experimental data available on cyanobacterial toxicity in birds. The aim of the present study was to estimate the influence of cyanobacterial biomass, lead and immunological challenge in single and combined exposure scenarios on toxicity and biochemical responses in Japanese quail. The 30-day experiment was performed with 4 months old individuals divided into 8 groups. The present experimental study was successful in testing the hypothesis that adverse effects of cyanotoxins, heavy metals, and a non-pathogenic immunological challenge combine to enhance avian mortality. Moreover, single exposure to cyanobacterial biomass resulted in hepatic vacuolar dystrophy, while co-exposure with lead in a more severe granular dystrophy. |
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