DNA Damage, Total Antioxidant and Oxidant Status in Gunshot Wounded Wild Falcons

This study was aimed to evaluate the status of total oxidant, antioxidant capacity and DNA damage caused by gunshot for wild falcons. Wounded and debilitated buzzards (buteo family) (n=20) were examined having different types of injuries caused by gunshot and other minor accidents. Buzzards were divided in to two groups, having gunshot wounds (n=10) and other kept as control group (n=10) which were having mild injuries and debilitated condition due to minor accidents. Total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were determined using Rel Assay Diagnostic kit and DNA damage was determined by comet assay. There was significant (P < 0.05) increase in TOS and total DNA damage while non-significant (P > 0.05) difference was in TAS was observed in gunshot wounded falcons as compared to control group. Oxidative stress has recently been examined together with DNA damage in mammals. However this combined evaluation has never been found in wild raptors in previous literature. Therefore, this study is known to be the first report for TAS- TOS and DNA damage for wild gunshoted falcons.