Pastor N, López-Lázaro M, Tella J L, Baos R, Hiraldo F, Cortés F
Department of Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Avda. Reina Mercedes No. 6, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Mutagenesis. 2001 May;16(3):219-23. doi: 10.1093/mutage/16.3.219.
Single cell gel electrophoresis, the so-called "Comet" assay, was performed as a genotoxicity test in white storks sampled in an area heavily contaminated after the ecological disaster in south western Spain. This disaster occurred as a consequence of a massive toxic spillage of acid waste rich in heavy metals that impacted on the Doñana National Park. The importance of this protected area as a breeding and wintering site for many endangered bird species makes this analysis of DNA damage of special interest. Our results clearly show that white storks born in the contaminated area 1 year after the toxic spill bear a high burden of genetic damage as compared with control individuals. The possible implications for future survival as well as reproductive rate are discussed.
