The Influence of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Blood Markers in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia)

The analysis of blood provides a minimally invasive way to gain an insight into the health status of an organism. Organisms that have become closely associated to human housing are at greatest risk of being affected by anthropogenic pollutants. The purpose of this study was to determine the alterations in blood markers of domestic pigeon (Columba livia) after oral administration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO). The birds were acclimatized to standard conditions with a photoperiod of 12:12 hr at 20±2ºC for 14 days. Birds were randomly assigned to one control and three experimental groups (in triplicate). The experimental groups orally received 30, 50, and 75 mg kg^-1 b.w. of n-ZnO (1 ml/bird, daily) through oral gavage for 7 and 14 consecutive days. The oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers namely LPO/MDA level and CAT activity in the blood plasma samples with the activity of LDH were increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of blood plasma and blood δ-ALAD activity were found to be lowered. Collectively, n-ZnO could affect the blood markers of pigeons, where oxidative damages may be the potential mechanism underlying this intoxication.