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Hammouda A, Ayadi T, Selmi S. Long-term Exposure to Industrial Chemical Contamination Affects the Magnitude of Predator-induced Immunosuppression in a Free-living Passerine. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 112:42. [PMID: 38402343 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-024-03857-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Industrial chemical contamination is known to have immuno-toxic effects on birds. It may also interfere with natural stressful conditions to further disrupt the immune responses, but these possible interactive effects are still poorly documented in free-living birds. Using the phytohaemagglutinin skin-swelling test, we assessed how the T-cell mediated immune response varied according to the perceived risk of predation in hybrid sparrows, Passer domesticus × Passer hispaniolensis, originating from two sites differentially impacted by industrial chemical contamination, in southern Tunisia. Results showed that T-cell mediated immune response decreased with increasing perceived risk of predation, but the extent of this predator-associated immunosuppression was weaker in birds from the contaminated site compared to those from the control site. The immune response of birds living in the contaminated site was so weak that it could not be further weakened by a predator-related stress. Overall, these results support the idea that chemical contamination interferes with natural environmental stressors, such as predators, thus entailing profound disruption of the immune responses, with possible deleterious repercussions on the ability of birds to cope with diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessalem Hammouda
- 'Ecology of Terrestrial Fauna' research unit (UR17ES44), Faculty of Sciences, Gabès University, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia.
| | - Tasnim Ayadi
- 'Ecology of Terrestrial Fauna' research unit (UR17ES44), Faculty of Sciences, Gabès University, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Slaheddine Selmi
- 'Ecology of Terrestrial Fauna' research unit (UR17ES44), Faculty of Sciences, Gabès University, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia
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Does environmental pollution affect male reproductive system in naturally exposed vertebrates? A systematic review. Theriogenology 2023; 198:305-316. [PMID: 36634444 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to environmental contamination, the environment constantly receives pollutants from various anthropic actions. These pollutants put ecological health at risk due to contamination and accumulation in living organisms, including wild animals and humans. Exposure can cause physiological, morphological, and behavioral changes in living beings. In this context, laboratory studies have frequently investigated how environmental contaminants affect the male reproductive system and gametes. However, few studies have examined how these contaminants affect male reproduction in naturally exposed animals. To better understand this topic, we conducted a systematic review of the effects of exposing male vertebrate animals to polluted environments on their reproductive functions. After an extensive search using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, 39 studies met our inclusion criteria and were eligible for this review. This study showed that reproductive damages were frequent in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals exposed to contaminated environments. Wild animals are exposed mainly to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), toxic metals, and radiation. Exposure to pollutants causes a reduction in androgen levels, impaired spermatogenesis, morphological damage to reproductive organs, and decreased sperm quality, leading to reduced fertility and population decline. Although several species have been studied, the number of studies is limited for some groups of vertebrates. Wildlife has proven valuable to our understanding of the potential effects of environmental contaminants on human and ecosystem health. Thus, some recommendations for future investigations are provided. This review also creates a baseline for the understanding state of the art in reproductive toxicology studies.
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How urbanization and industrialization shape breeding bird species occurrence in coastal Mediterranean oasis system. Urban Ecosyst 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Pintus E, Ros-Santaella JL. Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproduction in Domestic and Wild Animals. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071154. [PMID: 34356386 PMCID: PMC8301082 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs when the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overcome the antioxidant defenses of the organism, jeopardizing several biological functions, including reproduction. In the male reproductive system, oxidative stress not only impairs sperm fertility but also compromises offspring health and survival, inducing oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Although a clear link between oxidative stress and male fertility disorders has been demonstrated in humans and laboratory rodents, little information is available about the implications of impaired redox homeostasis in the male fertility of domestic and wild animals. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update regarding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are associated with oxidative stress in the male reproductive system and their impact on the reproductive performance of domestic and wild animals. The most recent strategies for palliating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on male fertility are reviewed together with their potential economic and ecological implications in the livestock industry and biodiversity conservation.
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Nasri I, Hammouda A, Belliure J, Selmi S. Decreased Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Bosk's Fringe-Toed Lizards (Acanthodactylus boskianus) Inhabiting an Industrialized Area in Southern Tunisia. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 105:393-396. [PMID: 32699910 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-02943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lizards increasingly are recognized as suitable contaminant biomonitors in terrestrial ecosystems. Previously, we have shown that Bosk's fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus boskianus) living close to the Gabès-Ghannouche industrial complex for fertilizer and acid production in southern Tunisia were contaminated by heavy metals. However, the impact of this contamination on lizard health parameters has not been investigated. In this study, we used the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test to assess whether the proximity to the industrial complex was associated with notable changes in lizard cell-mediated immune response (CMI). Our results showed significantly lower CMI in lizards living close to the industrial complex compared to those occurring farther away in a similar coastal habitat. Overall, our findings are consistent with the idea of immunotoxic effects of metal contamination. They also stress the usefulness of the PHA approach as an efficient tool for the evaluation of contaminant-related immunosuppression in lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Intissar Nasri
- Faculté des Sciences de Gabès, UR 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre' (UR17ES44), Université de Gabès, 6072, Zrig, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Abdessalem Hammouda
- Faculté des Sciences de Gabès, UR 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre' (UR17ES44), Université de Gabès, 6072, Zrig, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Josabel Belliure
- Unidad de Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Edificio de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Slaheddine Selmi
- Faculté des Sciences de Gabès, UR 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre' (UR17ES44), Université de Gabès, 6072, Zrig, Gabès, Tunisia.
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Amri N, Rebai T, Jardak N, Badraoui R. Nephrotoxicity in Hybrid sparrow (Passer domesticus × Passer hispaniolensis) living near a phosphate treatment factory complex in southern Tunisia: a biochemical and histological study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:15404-15410. [PMID: 29564705 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Our study was designed to evaluate impacts of exposure to pollutants, released by the Gabès-Ghannouche factory complex of phosphate treatment, on biochemical biomarkers and histopathological indices in kidney tissues of Hybrid sparrow (Passer domesticus × Passer hispaniolensis) in Gabès city. Our results show evidence of a pronounced impairment in kidney function which is confirmed by remarkable blood chemical alterations in sparrows living in Ghannouche, the most polluted site. Moreover, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were found to be decreased in birds sampled from the contaminated site when compared to less polluted areas. The population of sparrows feeding in Ghannouche had enhanced renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, indicating oxidative damage to membrane lipids. Some histopathological alterations were also observed including kidney interstitial dilatations. Overall, our findings demonstrated that the exposure to pollutants released by the factory complex possessed nephrotoxic by depleting renal antioxidant defense system and promoting kidney morphometric damage in sparrows. These results constitute an early warning of an ecological change in relation to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahed Amri
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Gabès University, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Tarek Rebai
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Neila Jardak
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Riadh Badraoui
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia.
- Laboratory of Histology-Cytology, Medicine Faculty of Tunis El Manar University, LaRabta, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia.
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Amri N, Rahmouni F, Chokri MA, Rebai T, Badraoui R. Histological and biochemical biomarkers analysis reveal strong toxicological impacts of pollution in hybrid sparrow (Passer domesticus × Passer hispaniolensis) in southern Tunisia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:17845-17852. [PMID: 28612310 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a great concern worldwide. Our aim was to investigate the histopathological injuries and oxidative stress induced by exposure to contaminants in liver tissues of hybrid sparrows (Passer domesticus × Passer hispaniolensis) living in Gabès city, which is one of the most polluted hot spot in Tunisia. Our results show evidence of a pronounced impairment in liver function which is confirmed by histopathological changes as well as remarkable blood chemical alterations in sparrows living near the Gabès-Ghannouche factory complex of phosphate treatment. Moreover, a significant decrease in the hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was observed in birds from Ghannouche when compared to other distant areas. Our study revealed also a significant increase in the liver levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), in sparrows living in Ghannouche, indicating oxidative damage to membrane lipids. Overall, our results suggest that the hybrid sparrow offers a suitable model for biomonitoring programs of atmosphere pollutants and the selected biomarkers may function as useful tool to evaluate the effects of pollutants on living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahed Amri
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Gabès University, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Fatma Rahmouni
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Med Ali Chokri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Gabès University, Zrig, 6072, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Tarek Rebai
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Riadh Badraoui
- Laboratory of Histo-Embryology and Cytogenetics, Medicine Faculty of Sfax University, 3029, Sfax, Tunisia.
- Laboratory of Histology-Cytology, Medicine Faculty of Tunis El-Manar University, LaRabta, 1007, Tunis, Tunisia.
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