Correlation between Micronucleus and prevalence of Hemosporids in species of birds from Brazilian Cerrado

Birds may be subject to innumerable adversities, such as hemosporids and micronucleus, which occur within their erythrocytes. Hemosporids are protozoa transmitted by dipterans and may compromise the host’s fitness. Micronucleus are chromosomal mutations that act as biomarkers for carcinogenesis, being related to pollution and/or stress. This work proposes to verify if there is a relationship between the prevalence of hemosporids and the means of micronucleus found in species of birds from four forest fragments of the Cerrado. From 2013 to 2014, 245 individuals (15 species) were captured and 490 blood smears were performed. Of these individuals, 136 (55%) of 14 species had micronucleus, while 20 individuals (8.16%) of eight species were infected with hemosporids (Haemoproteus/Plasmodium). The prevalence of hemosporids ranged from zero to 100% among species, while mean of micronucleus ranged from zero to 4.4. A negative and significant correlation between the mean of micronucleus and the prevalence of hemosporids in the bird species (r=-0.853; gl=13; p=0.008) was observed, suggesting that the variables are inversely proportional. By controlling infections, birds can go through periods of stress due to the allocation of energy to the immune system. After the infections are controlled, it is possible that micronucleus arise, since micronucleus can occur naturally due to stressors in organisms. Thus, it was verified that the presence of micronucleus in birds may be related to infection by hemosporids, however, the causes of this relationship are unknown, making further studies necessary to address this question.