The parameters related to oxidative stress and heavy metal levels were assessed during summer and winter seasons in buffaloes from environmentally exposed areas (n=60) of Ludhiana district of Punjab (India) and control area (n=40). Buffaloes of heavy metal exposed areas exhibited significantly (p less than 0.05) increased blood levels of Cr, Ni, As and Pb along with significantly (p less than 0.05) higher erythrocytic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; whereas significant (p less than 0.05) decrease was observed in superoxide dismutase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamins C and E as compared to buffaloes from control area. The level of oxidative stress was higher in all buffaloes during summer as compared to winter as indicated by significantly (p less than 0.05) higher MDA level, and lower concentrations of GSH, vitamins C and E irrespective of the area. Blood Cr, Ni, As and Pb levels showed highly significant positive correlation (p less than 0.01) with MDA level but negative correlation with SOD activity and the concentrations of GSH, vitamins C and E. Thus, it may be concluded that buffaloes exposed to heavy metals encounter significant oxidative stress and potential to quench free radicals is compromised during summer.
Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Heavy Metal Levels as Indicators of Environmental Pollution in African Cat Fish (Clarias gariepinus) from Nigeria Ogun River
