Survey possibility of using the histopathological changes of pigeon Columba livia in benzo(a)pyrene exposure

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), affect the environment and urban areas. Investigation of tissue damage caused by exposure to various contaminants in living organisms as a sentinel species can be used as a biomarker. The study aims to assess the effects of benzo(a)pyrene concentration on the altered tissues in the kidney and liver of rock pigeon (Columba livia), from Tehran megacity as well as 40 days Benzo(a)Pyrene invitro exposure. For this purpose, 2 groups (in same weight and age) were exposed to two group’s concentrations (5 and 10 mg.kg-1 bw and untreated group) of BaP. Also, for comparison of invitro results with urban conditions, 12 samples were captured from Tehran megacity. The liver cells hypertrophy and the proximal tubule cells disruption were only appeared in group of 10 mg.kg-1 bw of BaP. According to the results, it can be concluded that tissue damage caused by BaP in pigeons can be a good biomarker only in high concentrations of it to determine the effect on organisms and the surrounding environment, especially in urban ecosystems.