The endocrine system, specifically relating to sex hormones, and genetic material
can be targets of environmental contaminants. Environmental contaminants in the Rio
Grande region may originate from industrial or agricultural processes and growing
populations lacking proper water and sewage infrastructure. Cliff (Petrochelidon
pyrrhonota) and cave (P. fulva) swallows breeding near the Rio Grande were selected to
monitor aromatase activity alterations and DNA damage. Swallows were sampled at six
sites along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Laredo, and a reference site (Somerville)
350 miles north of the Rio Grande. DNA damage, based on nuclear DNA content, was
determined by flow cytometry. A significantly larger mean half peak coefficient of
variation (HPCV) of DNA content in contaminated sites compared to a reference site
reflects possible chromosomal damage. No detectable HPCV differences were observed
in cave swallows among locations, notwithstanding the presence of mutagenic
contaminants. Selenium may provide a protective role against genetic damage.
However, cliff swallows from Laredo had significantly higher HPCV values than those
from Somerville. DNA damage could be attributed to metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons released near Laredo. Brains and gonads, two estrogen-dependent organs,
were tested for aromatase activity with a tritiated water method. Brain aromatase
activity was higher, though not always statistically, for male cave and male and female
cliff swallows. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) may play a role in the
increased activity. Female cave swallows in Llano Grande appeared to have a greatly
depressed brain aromatase activity, possibly attributed to past human use of toxaphene.
Testicular and ovarian aromatase activity in cliff and cave swallows from Rio Grande
was higher than in those from Somerville, though not always significantly. DDE,
atrazine, sewage treatment plant contaminants (phthalates, alkylphenols,
ethynylestradiol), metals, or other pollutants could play a role in the increased gonadal
activity. Increased aromatase activity, in association with contaminants, may be easier
to detect in testes of male birds which normally exhibit low levels of estrogen. Siterelated
contaminants may be playing a role in DNA damage and aromatase alterations.
This is the first known study which uses aromatase activity as an endocrine disruptor
indicator in wild birds.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/3223 |
| Date | 12 April 2006 |
| Creators | Sitzlar, Megan Annette |
| Contributors | Bickham, John W, Mora, Miguel A |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text |
| Format | 735261 bytes, electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
Page generated in 0.0015 seconds