Abstract

MARTINEZ QUINTANILLA, Martha C. et al. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, basal frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes and nuclear extensions in the snow goose (Chen caerulescens): A proposal as possible stress and environmental genotoxicity biomonitor. Huitzil [online]. 2017, vol.18, n.1, pp.102-111. ISSN 1870-7459.

There are wild organisms that are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural stressors, these organisms may be useful to assess environmental health through various reliable, simple, rapid, inexpensive indicators and to determine and if possible reduce these negative effects. In this study we propose that the snow goose (Chen caerulescens) to be tested as stress and environmental biomonitor of genotoxicity, by heterophil/lymphocyte (h/l) ratio, micronucleus test (MNE), nuclear protrusions in erythrocytes (NPE) and polichromatic erythrocytes (PCE). During the hunting season (2012-2013) in the wetland of Malaga, Durango, Mexico, 18 organisms were collected. Erythrocytes were the most abundant cells with elliptical morphology and nucleus, size of 12.68 ± 0.89, regular contour and nucleus-cytoplasm ratio 1:2. We observed heterophils (11.07 ± 1.32 µm), eosinophils (9.67 ± 1.26 μm), basophils (5.75 ± 0.78 µm), monocytes (10.49 ± 1.36 μm) and lymphocytes (6.53 ± 1.0 µm). No alteration in the proportions or morphology of leukocytes was identified, however, a greater number of organisms are required to establish normal blood para meters basis for this species. h/l ratio was 0.41±0.11 this value is similar to that reported for this and other bird species classified as healthy. MNE basal rate (2.6 ± 1.45), NPE (249.2 ± 89.74) and PCE (156.5 ± 50) was established. The snow goose is an organism that is emerging as a good candidate for environmental biomonitor due to basal frequency of h/l, MNE, NPE and PCE, but must be tested under standardized conditions and through studies in areas with and without pollution.

Keywords : Biomonitor; Chen caerulescens; micronucleated erythrocytes; erythrocytes with nuclear protrusions; heterophil/lymphocyte ratio.