Multifactorial study on hematology of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and platelets as top markers of pollution – field experiments in a chlorinated environment near paper mill industry

Abstract

Hematological parameters of Apodemus flavicollis were analyzed in three field experiments using multivariate statistics. Sample collection was conducted in the vicinity of Ružomberok city, Slovakia, which is the location of a paper mill factory owned by Mondi SCP, Inc. Experiments were designed near the village Lisková, located easterly and situated near the factory, and at the control site on the hill Havran near village Švošov. Animals from the polluted area had higher levels of RBC, Hct, and RBW and lower levels of MPV, and PDW than the control. This ratio between RBC, Hct, RBW versus MPV, PDW did not differ between adult sexes. The independent field experiments clearly confirmed that an increase of RBC, Hct and RDW and a decrease of MPV and PDW is a suitable hematological marker of environmental pollution. We discussed that pollution likely influences the inverse relationship between thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis. A high erythropoietic state in a polluted area probably induces restraint of thrombopoiesis. The process may be highly influenced by chlorine contamination of the environment. Kidneys and livers contained high amounts of chlorine during the winter period, while in summer the amount of chlorine in kidneys or liver significantly decreased.