IMPACT OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN LIVER FUNCTION AND MORPHOLOGY OF FERAL PIGEON (COLUMBA LIVIA), LIVING IN THE COURTYARD OF FERRONICKEL SMELTER IN DRENAS - KOSOVO

Effect of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn), that are present in the environment around of the ferronickel smelter in Drenas-Kosovo, can be the cause of many negative effects in the organisms. These effects, may affect the function of many tissues and organs, including the liver tissue. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of environmental pollution from the ferronickel smelter in the liver function and liver morphology. For this purpose, we have measured the activity of plasma alanin aminotransferase (ALT), aspartat aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and plasma total proteins of feral pigeon (Columba livia). Specimens of feral pigeon (20 birds, 9 males and 11 females), were collected in ferronickel smelter courtyard, and 20 birds (11 male and 9 female) in Lubizhdë village (control group). We found out that the plasma ALP in Drenas group was lower, but not statistically significant (P>0.01), compared to pigeons of control group. Also, the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransaminases (ALT, P>0.001), and aspartate aminotransaminases (AST, P>0.01), were lower compared to the control group. The total plasma proteins was significantly higher (P>0.01). We found out that liver weight was lower (P>0.001) compared to the control group. Suggestion: Feral pigeons as worth biomonitoring organisms for evaluation of environmental pollution based on Ferronickel industry. Increased of heavy metal concentration in avian blood may affect the morphometry of soft and solid tissues.