title: Assessment of genotoxic damage by the comet assay in white storks (Ciconia ciconia) after the Doñana Ecological Disaster.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Avda. Reina Mercedes No. 6, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pastor
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-Lázaro
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tella
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baos
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hiraldo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cortés
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005260:Female; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009153:Mutagens; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste; D009153:Mutagens