An evaluation of blood plasma for monitoring DDE in birds of prey

Environmental Pollution (Series A)
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Abstract

Laboratory and field studies show that DDE residues in blood plasma are highly correlated with DDE in the brain, the rate of DDE exposure and the amount of DDE in eggs of free-living birds of prey. A blood sampling approach is proposed to supplement existing environmental contaminant methods available for birds of prey. Residues (ΣDDT) in plasma provide some direct information; however, a method is proposed to adjust blood plasma residues from four species of birds of prey to the estimated residues in eggs for the purpose of residue interpretation. The blood plasma-egg relationship appears to be species-independent in the four raptors studied. Two predicting equations are presented for estimating egg residues, one for plasma samples collected prior to, or within a few days of, egg laying, and another for the post-laying period. Limitations and advantages of the blood plasma monitoring approach are discussed. The approach may be particularly suitable for endangered species research.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title An evaluation of blood plasma for monitoring DDE in birds of prey
Series title Environmental Pollution (Series A)
DOI 10.1016/0143-1471(81)90090-8
Volume 25
Issue 4
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 14 p.
First page 291
Last page 304
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