Determination of endocrine disruptors in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) samples from the Lochinvar National Park of Zambia

Molecular Characterization and mRNA Expression of Cytochrome P450 1A1 and Cytochrome P450 3A in Liver of Kafue Lechwe (<i>Kobus leche kafuensis</i>) as Potential Biomarkers of Pollution of the Kafue River Basin, Zambia

“…Syakalima et al (2006) [7] reported a widespread contamination of the Kafue river with pesticides/herbicides such as DDT, chlordane, toxaphene, terbufos, kelthane, endosulfan, dieldrin, 1-1 dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (pp'-DDD), atrazine, and endrin. Sichilongo and Torto, (2006) [8] also demonstrated tissue contamination of the Kafue lechwe by endocrine disruptors such as deltamethrin, heptachlor, aldrin, d-t-allethrin, endosulfan, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (pp-DDE), dieldrin, endrin, pp'-DDD and DDT in the Lochinvar National Park. Despite pollutants being well documented, there have been few studies to demonstrate the actual biological effect on wild animals in the Kafue river basin.…”

Biometric analysis of testicles of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) and Bangweulu lechwe (Kobus leche smithemani) in Zambia

“…Although censuses were not carried out consistently over the years it is thought that this trend continued. A number of factors were implicated in the reduction in lechwe population such as contamination of the Kafue river by heavy metals (Syakalima et al 2001), and presence of endocrine disruptors in the waters (Sichilongo and Torto, 2006) increased commercial hunting or poaching, increased livestock population and grazing in interface areas as well as in areas of the Kafue lechwe habitat (Stafford, 1991;Pandey et al 1994;Matsukawa et al 1995;Zieger, 1998), and the construction of a hydro-power station on the Kafue river (Sayer and Van Lavieren, 1975).…”

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“…In addition, there is evidence suggesting that the levels of contamination are not evenly distributed in the Kafue river basin (ECZ, 2000;Kambole and Chilumbu, 2001). Studies carried out in lechwe inhabiting the Kafue flats have clearly demonstrated that the Kafue lechwe is exposed to heavy metals and endocrine disrupters (M'kandawire et al, 2012;Sichilongo and Torto, 2006;Syakalima et al, 2001). In this study we sought to investigate the biological effects of the pollutants on lechwe in the Blue lagoon and Lochnivar GMAs by analyzing catalase activity in the liver.…”

“…Another study has also shown that the Kafue lechwe are exposed to endocrine disruptors (Sichilongo and Torto, 2006). In addition, responses to cytochrome P450 as potential biomarkers of persistant organic pollutants have also been determined in the Kafue lechwe (M' Kandawire et al, 2014).…”

“…Other studies have also found pesticides and herbicides in water and fish in the area (Syakalima et al, 2006). Different strategies for assessing pollution or contamination of the environment are currently being explored and they include direct measurement of pollutants in the environment (Sichilongo and Torto, 2006) or indirectly assessing biomarkers in bio-indicator organisms (Kendall et al, 2001). Among the biomarkers of oxidative stress that have gained considerable interest in the field of eco-toxicology, is the antioxidant enzyme catalase.…”