Title: USE OF BLOOD FROM DEAD MALLARDS TO MONITOR LEAD POISONING
Abstract: determining presence of lead in biological samples are available (Sanderson and Bellrose 1986), researchers rely heavily on ingested shot in gizzards, concentrations of lead or protoporphyrin in blood, and concentrations of lead in liver for assessing lead poisoning in waterfowl populations (U.S. Dep. of Inter. 1986). However, unless radiographic procedures are used to examine gizzard contents, rates of lead shot ingestion can be underestimated by 2025% (Montalbano and Hines 1978, Anderson and Havera 1985). Anderson and Havera (1985) also found that lead concentrations in blood from live-trapped waterfowl was a more sensitive indicator of the incidence of lead poisoning than either protoporphyrin in blood or ingested pellets. Although use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting will be prohibited throughout the United States by the 1991-1992 season (U.S. Dep. of Inter. 1986), no such regulations have been established in Canada, Mexico, and most European countries. Because monitoring for lead poisoning will continue, the need for an accurate, relatively simple monitoring technique remains. We evaluated the usefulness of assays for lead in blood taken from hearts of dead waterfowl, such as hunter-killed birds at public check stations or commercial duckcleaning operations, to monitor lead poisoning in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). This procedure might be useful in conjunction with or in place of other techniques. Advantages of using blood samples from dead birds could include (1) availability of large samples from Wildi. Soc. Bull. 17:241-244, 1989
Publication Year: 1989
Publication Date: 1989-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 4
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