Heavy Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Changes in Physiological Process of Free Radicals in the Blood of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Chicks in Polluted Areas

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, k, zn, Cd, and Pb upon enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (Sod), catalase (CAT), and ceruloplasmine (CP) diurnal and nocturnal activity, and the content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and their interaction with free radicals, in the blood of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), an altricial bird, during postnatal development, in polluted areas (copper manufacture) and in control environments. The age of chicks examined from an output from an egg was increased from 19 to 54 days. Samples of investigated wing venous blood were taken for AAS analyses of element concentration. We collected blood samples via veni-puncture of the brachial vein of chicks. We have stated significant interactions between Cd, Ca, and Mg, and TBARS, Sod, CAT, and CP activity. Interaction with Fe, Na, k, zn, and Pb were not significant. We observed regularities in the course of relationships in the case of Cd; interactions of Cd-enzyme activity were negative in the control environment, both during the day time and at night. The prevalence of cd participation in element-enzymes interaction takes place. Caand Mg-relationships were more differential; Ca-enzymes interactions were significant only during the day in polluted environments and all of them were positive. Relations with Mg were positive during the day and negative at night, but significant in polluted areas only. We conclude that physiological activity of antioxidant systems Sod, CAT, and CP, and content of TBARS-active products are determined by concentrations of physiological elements and toxic heavy metals. These groups of elements influenced enzymatic activity both through excess and deficiency of their concentration in the environment. Simultaneously, we have not stated significant interactions with other microelements, thus we can conclude about their lack of important interactions on enzymatic activity.