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Lead exposure affects health indices in free-ranging ducks in Argentina

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Abstract

Numerous experiments under controlled conditions and extensive investigation of waterfowl die-offs have demonstrated that exposure to lead from spent gunshot is highly detrimental to the health of waterfowl. However, few studies have focused on examining the more subtle sub-lethal effects of lead toxicity on ducks in non-experimental settings. In our study, the health of ducks exposed to varying amounts of lead under natural conditions was assessed by correlating individual lead exposure with relevant indices of health. Based on hunter-killed wild ducks in Argentina, we measured spleen mass, body condition, examined bone marrow smears, and determined Ca and P in bone tissue. In free-ranging live-trapped ducks we determined basic hematology and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity. Using multivariate analyses, we found that, when controlling for the potential confounding effect of site type, year, duck species, body mass and age, lead levels in the liver were negatively associated with body condition and spleen mass. Spleen mass was also lower in ducks with higher lead levels in their bones. In live ducks, high blood lead levels were associated with low packed cell volume and red cell morphologic abnormalities. These findings suggest that, despite the lack of recorded lead-induced mortality in the region, lead exposure results in less conspicuous but still significant impacts on the health of ducks, which could have serious implications for their conservation. Moreover, this evidence further supports the need for urgently banning lead shot in the region.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Morris Animal Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, Aves Argentinas, and the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians. Anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments that improved the manuscript. Special thanks to R. Biasatti, M. E. Hartmann, P. Favre, F. Villemin, R. Sodero, L. Leones, A. Semenov, D. Denies and M. Prodel, for their outstanding support throughout the study. We acknowledge the efforts of many volunteers and veterinary students from Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, and Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto during field and laboratory work. Research permits were granted by governments of Santa Fe and Corrientes provinces.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Author notes

  1. Marcela Uhart

    Present address: One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Health Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Amenábar 1595, 1426, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Hebe Ferreyra, Andrea Caselli & Marcela Uhart

  2. Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET LITORAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina

    Pablo M. Beldomenico & Ana I. Correa

  3. Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA

    Krysten Marchese

  4. Centro de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ECOSUR), 2000, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

    Marcelo Romano

  5. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, 7000, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Andrea Caselli & Marcela Uhart

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  1. Hebe Ferreyra
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Correspondence to Hebe Ferreyra.

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Ferreyra, H., Beldomenico, P.M., Marchese, K. et al. Lead exposure affects health indices in free-ranging ducks in Argentina. Ecotoxicology 24, 735–745 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1419-7

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