Assessment of Environmental Contaminants in Eggs of Red Waattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Pesticides have most striking effect on birds, particularly carnivorous species. Sub-lethal effects of these pesticides include endocrine disruption, alterations in feeding behavior and compromised immune systems which affect avian reproduction. Despite the continuing usage, little is known about the impacts of pesticides in bird populations in developing countries. India is one of the major producer and consumer of pesticides. In view of this, there is likelihood that birds in India are exposed to great amounts of pesticides. Therefore, a correlative study, testing the impact of environment contaminants upon the Red Wattled Lapwing eggs, was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana from April to June, 2013. Freshly laid eggs were collected. One egg was randomly taken from 10 clutches sampled. The eggs were preserved, opened in the laboratory, and their contents were analyzed using Konstantinou et al 2000 method for detection of pesticides. In all samples examined, overall concentrations of Organochlorines (á-HCH (Hexachlorocyclohexane), â-HCH, Lindane, Heptachlor, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endosulfan, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), DDD (Dichlorodiphenyldichlor) and DDE (Dichlorodiphenylethylene)) in egg contents (albumen and yolk) were less than the threshold levels known to affect reproduction. This could be due to the location of eggs and habitat of PAU where ideal agricultural procedures are followed.