Effects of experimental calcium availability and anthropogenic metal pollution on eggshell characteristics and yolk carotenoid and vitamin levels in two passerine birds

Transgenerational endocrine disruption: Does elemental pollution affect egg or nestling thyroid hormone levels in a wild songbird?

“…Faecal samples of nestlings were collected from 141 of the 153 nests for element analyses (see details below). Elemental concentrations in nestling faeces are a common indicator for local pollution levels (Dauwe et al, 2004;Eeva et al, 2014;Espín et al, 2016). Faecal calcium levels have been found to correlate with calcium availability in the diet (estimated as amount of snail shells in the nest, their primary source of calcium) in another similar-sized passerine, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) in Harjavalta (Finland) study area (Eeva and Lehikoinen, 2004).…”

“…Samples were dried for 72 h at 45 C and analysed at the University of Murcia, Spain. Before the analysis, the faecal samples were placed in digestion tubes with 4 ml of HNO 3 (70%) and 1 ml of H 2 O 2 (33%) (Espín et al, 2016). After that, the samples were heated in a microwave and diluted in ultrapure water.…”

“…changes in haematological parameters) and plumage carotenoid coloration were lower in polluted compared to reference zones (Eeva et al, 2009;Janssens et al, 2003, but see Costa et al, 2012. Also egg quality, such as egg size and shell thickness (Eeva & Lehikoinen, 1995) and antioxidant composition of eggs (Espín et al, 2016;Hargitai et al, 2016), were altered in polluted compared to reference zones. We sampled nonincubated eggs for maternally-derived egg TH measurements, measured nestling plasma THs and used nestling faeces from the same nests to assess dietary elemental exposure of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in the four populations in polluted and reference zones.…”

“…EDCs transferred to eggs and embryos can have various detrimental consequences on offspring development, physiology and even survival (Colborn et al, 1993;Le on-Olea et al, 2014). Pollutant-associated alteration of various aspects of female physiology may further affect for example gene expression via DNA methylation patterns, or alter the transfer of essential micro-and macronutrients to eggs and embryos, potentially causing transgenerational effects (Espín et al, 2016;Hargitai et al, 2016;Skinner et al, 2010;Windsor et al, 2018).…”

Blood Toxic Elements and Effects on Plasma Vitamins and Carotenoids in Two Wild Bird Species: Turdus merula and Columba livia

“…Metalloids and metals including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are known to be toxic and have been ranked in the first positions within the Substance Priority List by the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) [ 6 ]. These toxic elements are extensively reported in tissues of different bird species, due to their bioaccumulation capacity and the negative effects they may cause, including alterations in growth, reproductive success, behavior, immune function, and biochemistry [ 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In addition to the metals/metalloids classically studied, rare earth elements (REE) and other minor elements (ME) are of emerging concern because of their use in modern technology worldwide, leading to emissions and electronic waste [ 14 , 15 ].…”