1. Sheavl F. Memishi 1, Isa R. Elezaj 2, Qerim I. Selimi 2
A level of some chemical elements (Ca, Na, K, P, Ba, Fe, Mg and Zn) in blood plasma of Feral pigeon (Columba livia-f.urbana), from three different environments exposed to heavy metals
Sheavl F. Memishi 1, Isa R. Elezaj 2, Qerim I. Selimi 2
1 State University of Tetova, Republic of Macedonia
2 University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Republic of Kosovo

2. Introduction
Several chemical elements and electrolits such as: Ca, Na, K, P, Ba, Fe, Mg and Zn, are bioessential for the growth of organisms.
Other elements such as Coper and Zinc, become toxic only ar very high concetrations.
Lead ionic toxicity mechanism occurs mainly due to the ability of metal ions to replace with other bivalent cationes such as Ca2, Mg2, Fe2 + and monovalent cation such as Na +, which ultimately inhibits the biological metabolism of the cell.
This causes significant changes in various biological processes such as: cell adhesion, intracellular signaling, protein biosynthesis, maturation, apoptosis, ion transport, enzymatic regulation, and release of neurotransmiters.

3. Introduction
Because of the smelters of lead and zinc in Trepca Mine Limited, environmental pollution in Mitrovica increased dramatically.
An environmental audit ordered by UNMIK, conducted in 2000 warned that it should be closed down as it was an unacceptable source of air pollution.
However, research carried out in the Feral pigeon population, 12 years after the closure of lead and zinc smelters, shows that environmental pollution is still high. (Elezaj et al, 2012).

4. Introduction
Researches into animal species in urban and industrial habitats contaminated with heavy metals, reflects the effect of pollution on the level of some chemical elements in their blood plasma.
The usefulness of the Feral pigeon (Columba livia f.urbana):
worldwide distribution,
sedentary and closely associated with urban environments,
mostly associated with human activities,
most suitable candidate for urban biomonitoring of environmental pollution.

5. Aim
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of environmental pollution in level of some chemical elements (Ca, Na, K, P, Ba, Fe, Mg and Zn), in blood plasma of Feral pigeons free living in three different localities:
Mitrovica town (urban and industrial pollution with heavy metals ),
Peja town (urban pollution) and
Village Lukijë (agro-rural), unpolluted locality.

6. Material and Methods
Feral pigeons were collected in three different localities: Mitrovica, Peja and Lukija.
20 individuals of both sexes, from every locality.
Level of metals and electrolytes in blood plasma was analyzed with Inductive Copled Plasma (ICP-MS, Varian 715-ES). Prof.dr. Trajce Stafilov

7. Results Locality Lukija Peja Mitrovica Signifikance P < Elements A
Table 1. Level of some chemical elements in mg/L in blood plasma of Feral pigeons
Locality
Lukija
Peja
Mitrovica
Signifikance P <
Elements A B C
A:B A:C B:C Fe
1.74 ± 0.77
1.65 ± 0.87
1.89 ± 1.65 NS Mg
19.97 ± 3.89
18.41 ± 2.99
20.54 ± 4.25 Zn
2.68 ± 0.71
2.90 ± 0.74
2.55 ± 0.72 Ba
0.015 ± 0.008
0.012 ± 0.009
0.36 ± 0.033
NS; P<0.005; P<0.001 Ca
94.37 ± 14.33
76.03 ± 8.85
92.46 ± 24.32
NS; NS; P<0.002 K
85.65 ± 60.06
± 41.7
115.2 ± 36.85
P< 0.043; NS Na
3571 ±
3387±
3658 ± 505
P<0.046; NS;
P< 0.006 P
331.1 ± 70.49
253.9 ± 45.5
338.5 ± 88.83

8. Results Mitrovica Mitrovica Lukija Lukija Peja Peja
Figure 2. A level of Mg in blood plasma of
Feral pigeons.
Figure 1. A level of Fe in blood plasma of Feral pigeons.
Lukija
Peja
Mitrovica
Figure 3. A level of Zn in blood plasma of
Feral pigeons.
Figure 4. A level of Ba in blood plasma of Feral pigeons.

9. Results Lukija Peja Peja Mitrovica Mitrovica
Figure 6. A level of K in blood plasma of
Feral pigeons.
Figure 5. A level of Ca in blood plasma of
Feral pigeons.
Lukija
Peja
Lukija
Peja
Mitrovica
Mitrovica
Figure 7. A level of Na in blood plasma of Feral pigeons.
Figure 8. A level of P in blood plasma of Feral pigeons.

10. Conclusions
The results of this study show significantly higher level of Ba in the plasma of Feral pigeons from Mitrovica, in comparison with level in plasma of Feral pigeons from Peja town and Lukija (P < 0.001; P<0.005 respectively).
Significantly higher level of Ca in plasma of Feral pigeons from Mitrovica (P< 0.002), in comparison with pigeons from Peja
Significantly higher level of K in plasma of Feral pigeons from Peja (P< 0.043) and Mitrovica, in comparison with Lukija,.
Significantly lower level of Na in plasma of Feral pigeons from Peja in comparison with Mitrovica ( P<0.006), and Lukijë ( P< 0.046).
The level of plasma Fe and Mg of Feral pigeons from Mitrovica were higher (but not statistically significant), in comparison with levels in the plasma of pigeons from Peja and Lukijë.
Present findings are promising to optimize the use of small plasma samples in order to investigate several responses relative to wildlife health status.

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12. Thank you!