Ingestion of Steel Wools Microfibers Causes Iron Overload and Induces Biochemical Changes in Various Organs of Gallus Gallus Domesticus Chicks [Galliformes : Phasianidae]

Steel wool (SW) has a broad-spectrum of applicability, particularly as abrasives, cleaning household utensils and surfaces in general. Yet, when discarded in the natural environment, they can be ingested by animals, for instance birds, and may represent a risk to the survival of individuals. Accordingly, in this study, we attempted the hypothesis that the ingestion of SW microfibers (SWMs) by Gallus gallus domesticus chicks (model system used) alters growth/development, induces redox imbalance and cholinesterase effect, as well as promotes iron overload in different organs of the birds. Thus, the animals received SWMs twice (within a 24-hour interval) in an amount corresponding to 12% of their total stomach volume. At the end of the experiment, we attended less weight gain and less head growth, increased production of hydrogen peroxide (in the brain, liver, crop, and gizzard), nitrite (liver, crop, proventriculus and gizzard), malondialdehyde (brain, liver, muscle, proventriculus, and gizzard), along with increased superoxide dismutase activity in the liver, muscle and crop of animals exposed to SWMs. Such results were associated with iron overload observed in different organs, especially in liver, crop, and gizzard. Besides, we revealed an anti-cholinesterase effect in birds that ingested the SWMs, marked by a reduction in the activity of cerebral acetylcholinesterase. Thus, our study sheds light on the ecotoxicological potential of SWMs in avifauna, conceding us to associate their ingestion (in spite of ephemeral and occasional) with damage to the health of individuals requiring a greater attention spotted to disposal of these materials in ecosystems